The San Jose Sharks (1-6-0) limp into Philadelphia to take on the Philadelphia Flyers (4-1-0) Sunday at 7 p.m. ET.
The Sharks have struggled out of the gate in starting the season. Coming in on the 2nd day of a back-to-back, the Sharks lost 2-1 at the New Jersey Devils Saturday.
For the Flyers, an early season run has them with 4 wins in their first 5 games, including Saturday’s 3-1 victory at Nashville. G Carter Hart (4-0) is undefeated for the Flyers this far, but he will get a needed rest Sunday as G Felix Sandstrom will start.
Sharks at Flyers odds
- Moneyline (ML): Sharks +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Flyers -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Sharks +1.5 (-230) | Flyers -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +107)
Sharks at Flyers projected goalies
James Reimer (1-3-0, 2.78 GAA, .918 SV%) vs Felix Sandstrom (0-1-0, 4.32 GAA, .889 SV%)
Reimer lost his first 3 starts of the season, yielding 9 goals on 110 shots, but he picked up a win Thursday at the New York Rangers. The 13-year veteran from Manitoba finished with 21 saves on 23 shots in the Sharks’ 3-2 OT win at Madison Square Garden.
While the Flyers’ Hart is one of the best goalies in the NHL early this season, they will have to turn to Sandstrom Sunday after Hart was in net Saturday for the Nashville win. Sandstrom has played once this season, allowing 4 goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 loss at Florida Wednesday — the Flyers’ only loss so far.
Sharks at Flyers picks and predictions
Prediction
Flyers 4, Sharks 2
Moneyline
BET FLYERS130).
Although it would be better for the Flyers to have Hart in goal, the Sharks are struggling. The Flyers defense has been solid, and with the Sharks, who are playing a 2nd road game in 2 days, I do not see them beating the Flyers.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET FLYERS -1.5180) for a HALF UNIT … or divvy up 1.5 units between this and the Philly ML (-130).
With the Sharks’ struggles, the environment in Philadelphia could be a bit much for them. With the Philadelphia Phillies’ MLB playoff game ending as this NHL game is about to start, the hype if the Phillies win — which would put them in the World Series — will be palpable in the stands of this one. The energy will be massive, and this should allow the FLYERS to COVER the – 1.5180) number.
Over/Under
AVOID.
Both goalies give up goals, but both teams have struggled in recent days in scoring.
With the Sharks losing 2-1 and the Flyers winning 3-1 Saturday, both teams will be looking to get through the second leg of a back-to-back schedule with teams intact. I can see this game finishing at 2 goals or 7 goals. I’ll just AVOID the hassle.