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Flyers Look to Double up on Rangers

Philadelphia Looks to Extend Dominance over New York

The Philadelphia Flyers (21-18-7) have struggled to live up to their preseason expectations all season long. Maybe the once proud Broad Street Bullies should play the New York Rangers (23-18-6) every chance they get the way they’ve dominated their longtime division rivals.

Philadelphia will look to extend their dominance over New York on Friday, one day after picking up a much-needed win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. New York has dropped two straight and should have plenty of motivation with Philadelphia only three points back in the East Division standings.

Kevin Hayes of the Philadelphia Flyers shoots against the Washington Capitals
Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP

New York is a slight home favorite to extract some revenge against Philadelphia on Friday night.

The NHL Odds for this East Division showdown are live in the BetUS Online Sportsbook right now.

Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers

When: Friday, April 23, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

TV: TVA, NHLN, MSG, NBCSP, MSG

NHL Odds

Philadelphia +140

NY Rangers -160

Puck Line

Philadelphia +1½ -165

NY Rangers -1½ +145

Total: 6½

Which Flyers Team Will Show Up

For Philadelphia, the big question is a simple one. Which Flyers team will show up in the Big Apple on Friday night? Will we see the competitive club that has speed and skill and can put goals on the board in the blink of an eye? Or will we be looking at the same lackluster team that has given up goals by the boatload?

Flyers Need to Kill Inconsistency

Pardon the pun, but the Flyers have been consistently inconsistent this season. As an example, Philadelphia has followed up a win with consecutive losses, three times over its last 10 games. The Flyers have been unable to get their offense in gear by scoring three goals or fewer in 10 straight games.

Still, Philly managed to scratch out a narrow 3-2 win at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. James van Riemsdyk scored two power-play goals, Jakub Voracek scored the game-winner and Brian Elliott turned back 33 shots to get the win.

“We want to keep pushing here, there is no give up from our group,” Elliott said. “Tomorrow is another big test and we just got to respond the right way and comeback with another gutsy effort.”

Philadelphia is averaging 2.8 goals per game (18th) on 29.9 shots per contest (13th). Defensively, the Flyers allow an overly generous 3.5 goals per game (30th) on 29.3 shots per contest (13th).

James van Riemsdyk has scored a team-high 16 goals and 37 points. Jakub Voracek has a team-high 25 assists. Carter Hart has a 3.67 goals-against-average and Brian Elliott has a 2.88 GAA.

Rangers Look to Get Offense Back on Track

The Rangers rank inside the top 10 in scoring, but need to get their offense untracked after getting limited to a grand total of three goals in consecutive losses against the Islanders and Flyers.

Timely Appearance Needed From Big Guns

Wingers Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich are tied with a team-high 19 goals, but Kreider has been held scoreless in two straight and seven of New York’s last nine games. Buchnevich has been held without a point in three straight and four of the Rangers’ last five games overall. Needless to say, the rangers need their top two goal scorers to light the lamp sometime soon.

On Thursday, Brendan Smith and Artemi Panarin scored for New York, and Igor Shesterkin made 33 saves. The Rangers conclude their eight-game regular season series against Philadelphia on Friday.

“I don’t think tonight was our best effort,” New York forward Ryan Strome said. “Obviously, it’s disappointing. I think we’ve done a lot of good things. We haven’t quit when we’ve been down this year. We’ve had a lot of opportunities. There’s been a lot of stuff around this team and there’s been a lot of chances for our group to quit, and we haven’t.

New York averages 3.3 goals per game (7th) on 29.3 shot attempts per game (23rd). Defensively, the Rangers allow 2.7 goals per game (9th) on 29.1 shot attempts per contest (11th). Adam Fox has a team-high 37 assists. Igor Shesterkin has a 2.45 goals-against-average.

There are plenty of ways to score with NHL Props Bets.

Desperate Flyers Go Back-to-Back

Philadelphia is up 4-3 in the seven meetings between these rivals this season, but the Flyers have dominated the Rangers over the long term, particularly when they play in the Big Apple. Philadelphia is 13-4 in the last 17 meetings against New York and a near-perfect 6-1 in their last seven visits to Madison Square Garden.

The Flyers have gone a dismal 0-4 in their last four games playing on the back end of consecutive nights, but the Rangers haven’t been much better by going 1-5 in their last six games on zero day’s rest.

After getting burned by Philly on Thursday night, I’m expecting the Flyers to show up with another strong effort in this affair to record their second straight narrow win over the Rangers. I love the value Philadelphia is offering as a value-packed road dog and expect the Flyers to cover the puck-line odds at the very least on Friday night.

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers +1½ (-165)

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