Philadelphia Flyers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning odds, choices, and forecasts
Having led this youthful Philadelphia team into postseason action, Flyers coach John Tortorella has the third-shortest odds to win the Jack Adams Award (+600 at FanDuel Sportsbook).
Despite having the sixth-youngest squad entering the 2023โ24 season (average age of 26.9), Philadelphia is now 77% likely to make the playoffs, according to Moneypuck.com. As of Tuesday, C Travis Konecny leads the squad in goals (22) and D Travis Sanheim leads the NHL in shifts (1417).
RW Nikita Kucherov will represent the Bolts during All-Star Weekend, and the team’s core is still in place. With 76 points, Kucherov is tied for the league lead in power play assists (24), with Colorado Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon. The Detroit Red Wings defeated Tampa Bay 2-1 on Sunday, ending the team’s five-game winning run.
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Lightning vs the Flyers
supplied by FanDuel Sportsbook; for a complete list, see the USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds website. Last updated at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
Thunder at the Flyers’ expected goalies
Samuel Ersson (12-6-3, 2.36 GAA,.909 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (13-10-0, 2.83 GAA,.901 SV%, 1 SO)
The Big Cat has a 12-3-0 record in 16 starts versus Philadelphia, demonstrating his remarkable career success against the team. The 29-year-old Vasilevskiy leads all current NHL goalies in save percentage coming into Tuesday.
Although Carter Hart is fit, Ersson will start on Tuesday night in an attempt to recover from his four goals allowed against bottom-feeding Ottawa on Sunday. Ersson took over for Hart after the latter’s five goals on fifteen shots in a 7-4 loss to Colorado the night before.
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Lightning at the Flyers predictions and selections
Forecast
Flyers 2, Lightning 3,
Moneyline
LAYNING LUMINANCE (-110).
Even though Kucherov is the sole All-Star in Tampa Bay, this club still has a championship core led by future Hall of Famer C. Steven Stamkos.The captain of the Lightning has scored 27 goals against Philadelphia in 40 regular season games, which is the second-most goals he has ever scored against an opponent. With 21 goals scored, Crayden Point leads the squad, while with 45 points, D Victor Hedman is fourth among defenseman in the NHL.
Even at home, the Flyers lack the talent to contend with Tampa Bay, despite their impressive comeback narrative. I do not anticipate the recent back-to-back Stanley Cup champions to fail, even if they lose a guy. The Bolts PK has been excellent since Christmas.
Against the spread/Puck line
PASS.
Although I anticipate a competitive game, I really don’t think -275 is worth it to lay.
Above/Below
GO LOWER THAN -6.5 (-128).
Ersson’s 2.36 goals against is the sixth-lowest in the league, indicating a strong season. Supporting him is the second-best penalty kill in the league (86.3%), with the only team in the Eastern Conference with more shot blocks than the New York Islanders.
Despite having the best power play in the NHL (29.73%), Tampa Bay has lost its previous two games and is now 0-for-6. This season, Philadelphia has had trouble when it has the man-advantage. The only teams with worse PP%s than the Flyers (13.33%) are the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Chicago Blackhawks.