How tough are things for the free-falling Philadelphia Flyers right now? During a seven-game losing streak, Philly has mustered only 12 goals. It won’t get any easier for the Flyers on Tuesday when they travel to the nation’s capital to do battle with the reigning Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals. Sportsbooks opened the Caps as -222 home favorites with a total of 5.5.
- The total has gone OVER in three of the Flyers’ last four games vs the Capitals (avg. combined score: 7.5).
- The Flyers are 2-6 SU in their last eight games on the road vs the Capitals.
- The Capitals are 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs divisional opponents.
Flyers vs Capitals Game Center
Ovechkin has torched the Flyers
The Caps slept through the majority of their recent clash with the Detroit Red Wings but managed to pull out a 3-2 victory regardless. With the win, Washington avoided its first four-game losing skid since March 2017. The Capitals are facing Philadelphia for the first time in 2018-19 after dropping three of four encounters last year. Captain Alex Ovechkin has owned the Flyers in his career, as the Russian has 55 points (33 goals, 22 assists) in 49 career encounters.
Philadelphia sustained its sixth shutout loss of the season in Monday’s 3-0 setback to the St. Louis Blues to fall to 0-5-2 SU in its past seven contests. Captain Claude Giroux, who’s pacing the team in assists (33) and points (46), has been held off the scoresheet in five of his last seven outings, while Sean Couturier (team-best 15 goals) has been held without a point in five of his last six.
Flyers, Capitals have gone OVER in recent meetings
When it comes to the total, bettors will want to pay close attention to the OVER in this one. The OVER is 3-1 in the past four matchups between the Flyers and Capitals with an average combined score of 7.5 goals. On the season, the Flyers are 22-20 O/U while the Capitals sit at 21-18 O/U.
The Flyers have historically struggled to produce in Washington. In Philadelphia’s previous eight trips to Capital One Arena, it’s 2-6 SU. The Capitals have been on a tear when playing in front of their hometown fans of late, going 7-3 SU in their past 10 home tilts. Washington is also 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games against divisional opponents.
Copley set to start in net for the Capitals
Pheonix Copley is listed as the probable starting goaltender for Washington. Copley (9-2-2, 2.55 goals-against average, .915 save percentage) allowed two goals in the Caps' overtime loss to Dallas on Friday. The setback snapped a five-game winning streak for the netminder.
My pick: take the UNDER
The Capitals have been trending UNDER lately after going below the closing total in seven of their past nine, and the Flyers simply haven’t been able to find the back of the net at a consistent pace. That’s a good recipe for an UNDER, and I’m expecting that trend to continue in D.C.
