The Philadelphia Flyers (11-17-7) meet the San Jose Sharks (11-19-6) at SAP Center Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Flyers vs. Sharks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Flyers haven’t played since prior to the holiday break. They trailed 6-2 after 2 periods at the Carolina Friday but made the Hurricanes sweat with 3 unanswered goals to pull to 6-5. It couldn’t break through with an extra attacker, however, losing for the 2nd straight game by 1 goal.
The Sharks picked up a 3-0 road win over the Fly Guys on Oct. 23, as G James Reimer stopped all 30 of the shots he faced.
San Jose has managed a 1-3-1 mark across the past 5 games, coughing up 5 or more goals in 6 of the past 10 games overall. The Sharks have allowed 4.3 goals per game (GPG) during the 10-game stretch.
Flyers at Sharks odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 8:44 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Flyers +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Sharks -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Flyers +1.5 (-190) | Sharks -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Flyers at Sharks projected goalies
Samuel Ersson (0-0-0, 6.33 GAA, .833 SV%) vs. Kaapo Kahkonen (3-7-2, 3.83 GAA, .872 SV%, 1 SO)
Ersson made his NHL debut in Carolina last Friday prior to the holiday break, and he coughed up 5 goals on 30 shots before he was pulled early in the 3rd period.
Kahkonen is confirmed to start, which is surprising since Reimer shut out the Flyers the last time he faced them. However, the veteran Reimer was pounded for 6 goals on 25 shots at the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday. Kahkonen has coughed up 4 or more goals in all 3 of his December starts, and 5 of his past 6 outings overall.
Flyers at Sharks picks and predictions
Prediction
Sharks 5, Flyers 4
Moneyline
The SHARKS (-160) are moderate favorites, and that’s a little bit higher of a price than I like for San Jose. Still, the Flyers have won just 11 of the past 53 games on the road, while going 1-5 in the past 6 against Western Conference foes.
San Jose is also 12-2-1 in the past 15 home meetings with Philadelphia while going 24-4-2 in the previous 30 overall in the series.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Flyers +1.5 (-190) are just a little too expensive for my liking. They’re just not worth the price if you need a little insurance.
PASS.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-105) might be worth the best price, as Ersson makes his 2nd start against the backup Kahkonen. We could have quite a high-scoring affair.
The Over has cashed in 4 in a row for Philadelphia while going 6-2-1 in the past 9 against teams with a losing overall record.
The Over is 20-7-1 in the past 28 games overall while hitting at a 13-3-1 clip in the past 17 home games for the Sharks.
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