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New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers
Rangers To Heap More Misery
The Philadelphia Flyers play host the New York Rangers in a Metropolitan Division clash Saturday, all the while looking to snap a six-game losing skid at the expense of their lofty rivals.
However, the prognosis isn’t looking favorable for the hosts. BetUS sportsbook tips the Rangers as the road favorites on the NHL odds board, and the betting appears to be falling in line.
Game: New York Rangers (24-10-4) at Philadelphia Flyers (13-16-7)
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Day/Time: Saturday, January 15, 2022 7:05 p.m. ET
Television: ESPN
New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers
Rangers Top Metropolitan Division
At the close of Friday’s games, the New York Rangers emerged as the top team in the Metropolitan Division with a 24-10-3 mark and 52 points. They’re two points clear of the Carolina Hurricanes (50) and three points ahead of the Washington Capitals (49).
The Rangers are coming off a shutout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, clinching the 3-0 win at the Shark Tank. The Rangers came through for bettors as the road favorites and covered on the puck line, too.
Chris Kreider scored twice while Braden Scheneider scored in his NHL debut. Goaltender Ivo Shesterkin made 37 saves in his first game after being sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. Shesterkin cleared protocols earlier that day and was sharp after nearly a week’s absence.
THIS GUY. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/BQ3SQfgxAe
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 14, 2022
On the heels of the win, the Rangers improved to a 6-3-1 record and Shersterkin underscored his favorable odds to win the Vezina Trophy this season.
Flyers Lose Sixth Game
The Philadelphia Flyers can’t buy a win no matter how hard they try. They’re riding a discouraging six-game losing streak that was capped off by a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday Night.
The Flyers got off to a slow start and fell behind early. Cam Atkinson and Joel Farabee provided the scoring in the second period, but the Flyers couldn’t build on that momentum in the final frame. Carter Hart made 33-of-36 saves for a .917 save percentage.
The Flyers are amongst the league’s stragglers with an underwhelming 13-16-7 record and 33 points. In their last 10 games, they’re 3-4-3. The roster has been decimated by injuries and covid-19, preventing them from finding any semblance of rhythm or form.
Rangers the Value Play
The New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers are headed in opposite directions right now, and those contrasting fortunes underscore the betting online markets. It’s safe to say, for all those same reasons, it’s impossible to back the Flyers right now.
This is the second meeting between these division rivals. The Rangers defeated the Flyers 4-1 at Madison Square Garden on December 1, 2021. The Rangers are amongst the best bets as the road favorites with a 9-1 record in their last 10 contests.
Good form is one of the reasons why the Rangers are enjoying success on their travels, but so too is their stalwart defense and special teams. The Rangers have the second-best goal against average (GAA), the third-best power killing unit, the 10th ranked power play (22.7% efficiency) and one of the hottest goalies in the league.
Shesterkin was superb against San Jose, and if he gets the nod for Saturday’s clash, there’s no reason to believe he will struggle against the woeful Flyers. Everything about this matchup points to a straightforward and comprehensive win by the Rangers.
