NHL Betting Preview - NY Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers

The New York Rangers look to extend their modest winning streak at Philadelphia’s expense when the two longtime rivals battle on Wednesday. New York is looking to move up from the sixth place in the East Division standings. Philly is in fourth place in the east but needs a win to avoid falling behind Pittsburgh and New York.

Are the Rangers the sportsbook betting pick to get it done on the road for the third consecutive game? Will the explosive Flyers hold down the fort at home to rebound from an embarrassing loss the last time out?

Check out the value-packed NHL odds for this mid-week matchup when they go live.

NY Rangers (6-7-3) at Philadelphia Flyers (8-4-3)

When: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

TV: NBCSN

Rangers Looking To ‘Double Down’

The Rangers have won two straight by beating Philadelphia 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday and Washington 4-1 on Saturday. Alexis Lafrenière scored his second NHL goal and Artemi Panarin had two assists in New York’s most impressive win of the season.

“We felt great today, had many chances,” Panarin said through an interpreter. “Obviously we felt it today, and it was great to see Alexis score.”

Panarin will not be with the team as he is currently on leave after allegations surfaced about a 2011 incident in Russia. Panarin denies them and the Rangers are backing their star.

Lafrenière, the top pick in the 2020 draft looks like the player the Rangers were hoping he’d be when they selected him.

“Goal-scorers thrive off confidence, and usually when one goes in it starts a little bit of a snowball effect, so we certainly hope that happens for Alexis,” coach David Quinn said. “He continues to improve, come to the rink with a great attitude and work hard, and as long as he continues to do that, good things are going to happen for him.”

Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome, and Chris Kreider all scored goals while goalie Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves to get the win. New York has gone 4-4 over its last eight games. The Rangers average a modest 2.4 goals per game (24th), but limit the opposition to 2.6 goals per game defensively (7th).

Check out our value-packed NHL MVP Odds.

Struggling Flyers Need To Hold It Down

As the youth of today say, Philly will be looking to “‘hold it down” at home after dropping two straight. The Flyers were on the wrong end of a 7-3 loss against Boston in their Lake Tahoe showdown on Sunday night.

Joel Farabee, Sean Couturier, and James van Riemsdyk scored for the short-handed Flyers, who have a half-dozen players on the COVID-19 list. Gifted net-minder Carter Hart allowed six goals on 23 shots in the first two periods and has now given up a mind-boggling 20 goals in four losses to Boston this season.

“It wasn’t easy, obviously. The hardest part was probably the first with all the sun,” Couturier said. “Being blinded by the sun in some places, it was kind of dangerous sometimes. But it was the same thing for both teams.”

Philly gave up a hat trick to Bruins superstar David Pastrnak in the loss.

“In the second period, a couple of shifts got away from us,” Flyers coach Alain Vigneault said. “Such a strong team, they capitalize on opportunities from start to finish.”

Philadelphia averages a healthy 3.4 goals per game (6th) but is giving up a generous 3.3 goals per game defensively (24th).

Odds to win 2021 NHL Stanley Cup.

Expert Analysis and Prediction

The Flyers might be dealing with the struggles of COVID-19 right now, but Philly is back at home in this one and semi-desperate for a victory.

Philadelphia has the far more dangerous offense and has dominated the Rangers in recent times despite dropping the last meeting. The Flyers are 9-2 in the last 11 meetings and 5-2 in their last seven home dates against New York. The favorite is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings — and again — Philadelphia is fairly desperate after dropping two straight and four of five.

The Flyers have scored an identical five goals in three of the last four meetings. They might not be playing their best hockey right now, but I like Philly to get it done by two goals on Wednesday night.