NHL Preview: Rangers at Flyers, Feb 18

Bet on Hockey

· Feb 18 - 3 minutes read

The Philadelphia Flyers are fighting to maintain their playoff positioning amidst a flurry of COVID-19-related inconveniences. Philly hasn’t played in seven days, following the postponement of four games due to COVID-19 protocols. If nothing else slides sideways schedule-wise for the Flyers going forward, they’ll play 43 games in 82 days.

Philadelphia hopes to gain a semblance of stability on home ice vs the visiting N.Y. Rangers, who are reeling. The Rangers have lost four consecutive contests, and seem to be offensively challenged. New York has only scored a total of four goals during its losing streak, getting shut out twice. Most recently, the Rangers were drubbed 5-2 at Madison Square Garden by the lowly New Jersey Devils.

James van Riemsdyk of the Philadelphia Flyers is defended by Matt Martin of the New York Islanders during the second period — Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

The current NHL odds on our sportsbook show the Flyers as slight home favorites over the Rangers on Feb 18. COVID protocols have hit Philadelphia hard, and this fact is reflected in the betting lines. These are the types of games where online sports betting experts really earn their money. Let’s break down the winning angles of this matchup.

New York Rangers (4-7-3) at Philadelphia Flyers (8-3-2)

Thursday, Feb 18 at 7:00 pm EST

Wells Fargo Center- Philadelphia, PA

NHL Betting Vitals

Puck Line: Rangers +1 ½ (-245) , Flyers -1 ½ (+205)

Money Line: Rangers -105, Flyers -115

Goal Totals: 5 ½

Flyers Shorthanded vs Rangers

Philadelphia will be missing six regulars against N.Y., including five forwards and one defenseman. Captain Claude Giroux is the most notable scratch, but the presence of Jake Voracek, Travis Konecny, Oskar Lindblom, Scott Laughton, and defensemen Justin Braun will be felt as well. The Flyers may only have 16 skaters available vs the Rangers, and that includes goaltenders Carter Hart and Brian Elliott.

Four of Philadelphia’s top seven point producers won’t be available, and scoring might be a struggle for the Flyers. What’s interesting is that although the Flyers are short favorites here, they enter with the aura of an underdog. This represents a unique opportunity for Philadelphia to pull together, making themselves stronger in the long run.

Rangers at Flyers: Betting Forecast

The Flyers’ reduced firepower combined with the Rangers’ general inability to score goals, makes the “under” a strong bet here. Furthermore, N.Y. goalie Igor Shesterkin owns a sparkling 2.38 GAA, and Philly G Carter Hart is an elite netminder. Look for a low-scoring duel between Shesterkin and Hart, with the Flyers securing a hard-earned 2-1 shootout victory.