The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Philadelphia Flyers with both teams heading in opposite directions in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning are 37-23-4 and with seven wins in their last 10 games, they have the third best record in the Atlantic Division. The Flyers are 27-31-8 and with five losses in a row, they have the second-worst record in the Metropolitan Division. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Lightning vs Flyers prediction!
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Tampa Bay has played great across the board
The Lightning are having a great season with their offense leading the way and scoring 3.50 goals per game. Nikita Kucherov and Brandon Hagel have scored 58 goals and 105 assists but the rest of the offense has also stepped up. Brayden Point, Jake Guentzel, and Anthony Cirelli have combined for 84 goals and 89 assists while defenseman Victor Hedman has added 11 goals and 39 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has also been great, allowing 2.69 goals per game. Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman have combined for 17.2 defensive point shares while Erik Cernak and Darren Raddysh have combined for 12.9 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has stepped up with a .919 save percentage and a 2.29 goals-against average on 1422 shots with 25.6 goals saved above average.
Flyers are playing poorly across the board
The Flyers are having a season to forget with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.79 goals per game with only five goals in the last four games. Travis Konecny and Matvei Michkov have scored 42 goals and 70 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only six active skaters have 10 goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has also let them down, allowing 3.35 goals per game including 22 goals in the last five games. Travis Sanheim and Rasmus Ristolainen have combined for 18.2 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. In addition, goaltender Samuel Ersson has struggled with a .889 save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average on 899 shots with -11.1 goals saved above average.
Best Bets for Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Lightning look like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Lightning should pile on the goals against the Flyers, who allow 3.35 goals per game, with Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence and creating open shots with quick passes. The Lightning, who allow only 2.69 goals per game, should limit the Flyers offense, which averages only 2.79 goals per game, with Ryan McDonagh, Victor Hedman, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy to make plenty of big saves. The Lightning should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on the road.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
The Lightning are led by their offense and I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Flyers should create plenty of scoring chances with Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Lightning, who average 3.50 goals per game, should run up the score against the Flyers, who have allowed 22 goals in the last five games, with Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with quick passes while Victor Hedman generates shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 5.5 goals.
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