The best team in the Eastern Conference skated past the Flyers 2-0 on Thursday night in a series that has already gotten extremely chippy. The final whistle saw each team draw two roughing penalties and there is no love lost between these teams now that it is the postseason.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
Washington was the biggest favorite of the night on Thursday, cashing at -212 odds for bettors willing to lay the hefty chalk. The Capitals will likely be similarly priced favorites in Game 2, but the moneyline should be just a shade lower due to the unpredictable nature of the NHL playoffs and how series usually tend to even out in the NHL playoffs.
GOALIE REPORT
Steve Mason was solid in net for the Flyers and it’s a shame that he had to get dinged for a loss in the series opener. The first goal he allowed was a Power Play goal by John Carlson that deflected off a teammate and past him and the second he only gave up late when the Flyers were pressing for the equalizer.
In all, he stopped 29 of 31 shots despite not being helped much by his team that had chances but couldn’t get one in the net.
Washington is thankful it has the rock solid Braden Holtby between the pipes, and he lived up to expectations when he didn’t allow a goal in Game 1. It was a little shaky early on after the Capitals gave up three power play opportunities to the Flyers in the first period, but Holtby was there to turn them all away.
He was awesome during the regular season with a record of 48-9-7, tying the record for most wins in a single season, and is one of the most reliable goalies in all of hockey.
LIVE BETTING
Despite being the best team in the Eastern Conference this year, the Capitals sure did struggle against the spread. Much of this was due to the books readjusting after their hot start and subsequently making the Caps heavy favorites in every game, but at the end of the day Washington still finished with a 37-45 ATS mark.
Philadelphia, meanwhile, was able to finish with a 46-36 ATS mark despite slipping into the regular season by just a hair at the end of the season.
These two teams split their regular season series, winning two a piece, but Philly needed overtime to win both of its games against Washington.
QUICK PICK
Barry Trotz has preached the importance of special teams all season long for the Capitals and his team delivered early on. Washington was the second-best penalty killing team in the league during the regular season, killing off 85.2 percent of penalties and the fifth best at capitalizing on the power play, notching a goal in 21.9 percent of their man advantages.
Against the Flyers in Game 1, Washington killed off six penalties and scored its first goal on the power play in what would have been enough for the win. If Washington can continue to perform like this on special teams, it could eliminate Philadelphia quickly and pick up some much needed rest before the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Philly needs this game in a bad way, but the Flyers aren’t nearly as talented as they have been in the past. The Flyers have a solid netminder in Mason, but not much on the offensive end of the spectrum and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to beat Holtby enough to head back home with a split.
NHL Odds: Capital 3, Flyers 2
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