The Boston Bruins have hit a bit of a rough patch after rattling off a five-game winning streak, but the good news for the B’s is they have a date with the lowly Philadelphia Flyers in Pennsylvania on Wednesday. Sportsbooks opened the Bruins as -140 road favorites with a total of 6.
- The Bruins are 5-1 SU in their last six games vs the Flyers.
- The total has gone UNDER in four of the Bruins’ last five games vs the Flyers (avg. combined score: 4.2).
- The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the Flyers’ last 17 games (avg. combined score: 5.65).
Flyers have been struggling out of the gate
Boston is coming off a 3-2 overtime setback to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday that was its second loss in the last three games. Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand received a maintenance day at Tuesday’s practice, but head coach Bruce Cassidy told reporters the two will suit up vs the Flyers tonight. Chris Wagner (illness) and Jake DeBrusk (lower body) are also expected to play tonight after missing yesterday’s practice.
Philadelphia has had a litany of problems this season, but one of its biggest is surrendering the first goal. In their last 29 games, the Flyers have given up the first tally 22 times. Philly did pick up a victory in its last game – a 7-4 triumph over Minnesota thanks to a personal-best four-point performance by Nolan Patrick. Patrick ended a lengthy 24-game goal drought in the process.
Is another UNDER in store tonight?
According to betting trends, an UNDER could be in store tonight. In the past five meetings between the Bruins and Flyers, the UNDER is 4-1 with an average combined score of 4.2 goals. Philadelphia has been an excellent bet to go UNDER on its own, as 12 of its previous 17 contests have gone below the closing total. The Bruins have gone UNDER in 15 of their past 20 road games with an average combined score of 4.6 goals.
The Bruins have had the upper hand in this series, as Boston carries a 5-1 SU record vs Philly in the past six clashes between the clubs. The Flyers’ lone win in that span came on April 1, 2018, when they beat the Bruins 4-3 in overtime at TD Garden.
Halak, Hart set to start in net
Jaroslav Halak and Carter Hart are slated to start in net for the Bruins and Flyers tonight. Halak (13-7-2, 2.39 goals-against average, .924 save percentage) allowed three goals on 21 shots in his last outing against the Washington Capitals on January 10. Hart (4-5-1, 2.69 GAA, .913 SV%) gave up four goals on 38 shots in the Flyers' win over the Minnesota Wild on Monday.
My pick: take the UNDER
The Flyers simply haven’t been scoring enough to do their part in going OVER totals, and the Bruins’ tendency to go UNDER away from home makes me think this one is going to go UNDER the total. The Flyers’ seven-goal outburst vs the Wild may make bettors stay away from the UNDER tonight but until they can string together consecutive solid offensive performances, they’re a good bet to keep games low-scoring.
