The Buffalo Sabres take on the Philadelphia Flyers, in Philadelphia, for what will be their fifth straight road game amidst a seven game losing streak.
The odds are certainly stacked against them, which is represented by the books lines, but there is still value within this game.
Game Odds and Time
7:00 p.m. ET
Moneyline: BUF: +210 | PHI: -250
Spread: BUF: +1.5 (-115) | PHI: -1.5 (-105)
Total: 5.5 – Over: (-130) | Under: (+110)
Buffalo Sabres at Philadelphia Flyers Game Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers have been somewhat of a disappointment within the MassMutual East Division this season after showing so much promise and being one of the top defensive teams in the NHL last season.
Their defense now ranks 20th over all in goals allowed and 25th in shots allowed per game, to go along with less than desirable numbers for young, and extremely talented Flyers goaltender Carter Hart. It may not be showing thus far this season, as he sits with 3.47GAA/.893sv%(6-5-1) but Hart was my favorite to win the Vezina Trophy going into the season, and I believe he can find that level again.
No team provides a better start clean opportunity than the Buffalo Sabres.
During the Sabres aforementioned seven game losing streak they have been outscored by 17. The Flyers do not lack in offense, as they average the seventh most goals in the NHL, and they should not have trouble against a bottom five Buffalo defense.
Sabers at Flyers Best Bet
Flyers ML is a steep (-250) at most books, so I think it would be good for maybe a parlay you’re trying to hit, but I don’t want to lay that much on this Flyers team right now.
Instead, I’m playing this game in regulation at a much more friendly (-155) and for all the reasons above, I even like at least half a unit on the puck line at just under even money.
The Better Team Will Win
It comes down to this, the Flyers have lost two straight games, but they are in a rare position this NHL season, getting to play three separate opponents three games in a row. Philadelphia is too good to lose three in a row to three different teams, especially when, for this one, they are at home against the lowly Buffalo Sabres.
One final cherry on top is that the Sabres are likely to start Jonas Johansson in net tonight, who has only played four games all season and gave up nine combined goals in his last two starts.
The Picks
Philadelphia Flyers in regulation (-155) & -1.5 (-105)
