The Philadelphia Flyers welcome the Boston Bruins back at Wells Fargo Center, where they have beat them in recent meetings. Philadelphia (8-4-3) has won two straight against Boston (8-5-0) although the Bruins still hold a 6-4 lead in their past 10 meetings. Big picture in mind, Boston is the sportsbook’s favorite for this Saturday tilt.
The Bruins have been solid as chalk this season, having lost just two games of 10 when lined as favorites. The Flyers, on the flipside, are dead-even at 6-6 as underdogs. But that still means they’re in the green when betting online at plus-money, a trend they look to continue here.
NHL Odds Preview
Boston Bruins at Philadelphia Flyers
- Puckline: Boston -1½ (+180), Philadelphia -1½ (-210)
- Moneyline: Boston -130, Philadelphia +115
- Total: Over 5½ (-115), Under 5½ (-105)
Team Previews
Bruins: Swaying the Odds
Almost every time the Bruins face the Flyers, it goes like this: Boston controls the puck for longer periods, gains more shots, and even plays better overall. But it’s Philadelphia who is scoring more. What gives? A quick answer is in the net: Jeremy Swayman needed to be better for Boston.
Swayman allowed four goals on just 24 shots. Boston had a 4:1 ratio on their high danger opportunities versus the Flyers but it was Philadelphia who was scoring. Linus Ullmark has fared a bit better wit ha 3-1-1 record and a 91.7% save percentage against Philadelphia.
On the skaters’ ends, they will need to do a better job at converting on their chances. It’s the same issue that’s plagued Boston before. But slowly climbing back to being in league average, the onus is still heavily on Ullmark to hold his ground.
Flyers: From Worst To First?
What a turnaround it has been for Philadelphia in net. Last season was a nightmare year for Carter Hart. But he has since bounced back in a big way this season and together with Martin Jones, also rebounding nicely, the Flyers have a 9.6 goals saved above average.
Carter Hart is ALL the way back, folks.
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) November 17, 2021
Hart’s and Jones’s improved play has helped Philadelphia amend their big gaps on defense. The Flyers are still surrendering more scoring chances than they are producing. On 5v5, they have given up the ninth-most high danger chances and have the tenth-highest expected goals against.
That’s why you’ll find Philly as a dog with most NHL odds. At some point, their goaltending will falter and the team will get horribly exposed as it did last season. But as long as the goalies are hot, Philadelphia is a live underdog.
Betting Pick
As we alluded to, this one boils down to what goaltender goes above their role to outshine the team. The stats support the Hart/Jones tandem though Ullmark could just be the difference-maker in net that Boston needs. He’s not having the best season though and has only won one of his last four starts.
Boston should be able to get the better of the Flyers on the ice. But the disparity in goaltending makes Philadelphia a more valuable bet considering their odds.
Pick: Philadelphia Flyers +115
Bonus Pick
There tends to be some high-scoring matchups when these teams face. Six of their last nine games in Philadelphia have yielded totals that went over. But most of these came at a time when the Flyers’ netminders could not stop a beachball. The tough Bruins defense combined with better goaltending will push this one under.
