The New Jersey Devils (38-37-5) take on the Philadelphia Flyers (37-32-11) Saturday evening as the Flyers desperately hang on to their playoff hopes. Puck drop from Wells Fargo Arena is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Flyers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
This is the 4th and final meeting between these teams this season. New Jersey was victorious 4-3 in OT back in November at Wells Fargo and doubled up the Flyers 6-3 in Newark Feb. 17th. The Flyers edged NJ 3-2 in OT in December as C Ryan Poehling scored 2 goals.
Philadelphia earned a season-saving victory in their last game, beating the mighty New York Rangers at MSG 4-1, cashing as a (+174) moneyline underdog. Entering Saturday, MoneyPuck.com calculates that Philadelphia possesses a 15.1% chance to make the postseason, and their next game (Tuesday vs. Washington) is their regular season finale.
The Devils also earned a big-time win in their last game, albeit it had nothing to do with the postseason chase as they were eliminated earlier this week. New Jersey outlasted Toronto at Scotiabank Arena 6-5, cashing as a (+168) moneyline underdog. NJ’s season concludes Monday at home against the Islanders.
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Devils at Flyers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Flyers -126 (bet $126 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-235) | Flyers -1.5 (+190)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -104 | U: -118)
Devils at Flyers projected goalies
Jake Allen (12-17-4, 3.43 GAA, .897 SV%) vs. Samuel Ersson (22-18-7, 2.92 GAA, .888 SV%, 3 SO)
Allen was acquired at the trade deadline from the Montreal Canadiens, where he sported a suboptimal .892 save % and 3.65 GAA in 21 starts. In 12 games played with the Devils, Allen has a .906 SV % and 3.04 GAA.
Ersson did not allow multiple goals for the 1st time in 12 starts Thursday vs. New York. His victory over the Blueshirts put a stop to an 8-Game losing streak for the Flyers, and the rookie mentioned postGame that his team put “everything into” the win.
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Devils at Flyers picks and predictions
Prediction
Flyers 5, Devils 4
Moneyline
BET PHILADELPHIA (-126).
The Flyers block the 3rd-most shots in the NHL (1275) compared to 966 blocked for NJ, 5th-lowest. Philadelphia is playing with desperation, so I expect them to get in front of as many pucks as possible in an effort to protect their young netminder.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
Too much juice on both ends. These squads just pulled off upsets against 2 of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, so I anticipate that they will carry that positive momentum into Saturday’s showdown and play a close and entertaining game.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6.5 (-104)
This Devils have asked a lot out of D Luke Hughes, the younger brother of Jack, who was been shut down for the season with a shoulder injury, and the 20-year-old has delivered for the extremely young Devils defense. His 47 points is a Devils single-season record for rookie defensemen, but when it comes to shutting down opposing goal-scorers, lacking D Dougie Hamilton has proven to be problematic for this group. The Devils have allowed the 5th-most rebound shots against (228), so RW Owen Tippett, who has created 25 rebounds this season could be in line to score again as he did twice in the last meeting in February.
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