The Philadelphia Flyers are big favorites on Tuesday night as they host the Colorado Avalanche in a game that can be seen on NBCSN. It has been a lost season for Colorado, as they are in last place in the Western Conference with the worst record in the NHL. On the other side, the Flyers are currently outside of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and it is hard to see how the team will be able make up ground with so many teams ahead of them in the standings.
At 7 p.m. ET, tune into NBCSN for live television coverage of this NHL game on Tuesday, February 28, at the Wells Fargo Center.
We'll have NHL odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NHL Tuesday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Avalanche are coming off a rare win, as they beat Buffalo 5-3 at home on Saturday night. They will be rested as they have had two days off. The Avalanche are just 9-21 on the road this season with 11 games going over the total, 15 going under with 4 pushes.
The Avalanche could be without some key players on Tuesday night as the NHL trading deadline is on Wednesday. Players like Gabe Landeskog and Matt Duchene could be held out of this game if they are going to be traded. The Avalanche are such a mess that only a few players are untouchable, the most recognizable being Nathan McKinnon.
Philadelphia has also had two days off to get ready for this game, as they are coming off a 4-2 loss in Pittsburgh on Saturday night. The Flyers are 17-14 at home this season with 12 games going over, 12 going under with 7 pushes.
The Flyers are in not in a good position in terms of making the playoffs, but Wayne Simmonds said the team can still make it. “We have 21 games left and a never-say-die attitude. We're gonna keep pushing, no matter what. We've got to be desperate every game and play it as if it’s our last."
Special Teams
The Avalanche are pretty much a disaster in all phases of the game. They are next to last in the league on the power play at 13.9% and last in goals per game at two per contest. They are 24th in the league in penalty killing at 78.5% and last in the league in goals allowed at 3.3 per contest.
The Flyers are 9th in the league on the power play at 21.2%. They are averaging 2.5 goals per game, which is 23rd in the league. The Flyers are 18th in the league in penalty killing at 81% and they are 26th in the league, allowing three goals per contest.
Goalie Report
The Avalanche are going with Calvin Pickard in most games with Semyon Varlamov out with a season-ending injury. Pickard is 10-21 with a 2.88 goals against average. The current backup is Jeremy Smith who is 1-2 with a 3.05 goals against average.
The Flyers have an average goaltending duo of Michal Neurvirth and Steve Mason. Neurvirth is 10-10 with a 2.90 goals against average, while Mason is 16-23 with a 2.90 goals against average.
Free NHL Picks
These teams have split their last ten meetings with four of the last five going over the total. The Flyers have won four of the last five at home in this series with four of the last six going over the total.
There is no question that the Flyers are the better team and that they should win this one but I am really leery about laying more than 2-1 with a marginal team. Neither of these teams plays much defense or has great goaltending, so I will avoid a side and take this game over the total.
NHL Odds: Flyers 4, Avalanche 3
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