Flyers vs. Devils Odds
| Flyers Odds | +120 |
| Devils Odds | -144 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +100o / -122u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils on Saturday, February 17 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Flyers and Devils will take their rivalry outdoors for the first of two 2024 Stadium Series games from Metlife Stadium.
It's been a tale of two entirely different seasons for these sides ahead of this pivotal matchup. John Tortorella's Flyers have greatly overachieved expectations and are closing in on a surprising playoff berth thanks to well-structured team play. The Devils, meanwhile, were a trendy preseason Cup pick, but have been undone by a plethora of injuries as well as some of the league's worst goaltending.
Two points here for the Devils could kickstart a push for the final Metropolitan playoff spot, as they sit just seven points back with two games in hand. They will need to best a Flyers side that has thrived in the underdog role all season long, though.
Let's dive into our Flyers vs. Devils prediction and pick.
Philadelphia Flyers
While the Devils will be desperate to round out the holes in their game, the Flyers will hope they can continue to pile up points with their defensively sound variety of hockey.
Tortorella is known for preaching accountability on the defensive side of the puck and demanding his players do the little things that make life tough for the opposition.
It is hard to argue with the results Tortorella's side is getting defensively. They have allowed only 2.85 goals against per game this season, which is the 10th-best mark in the league. Their 2.96 xGA/60 this year is the fourth-best mark league wide, so it's been far from overachievement in goal that is causing their low goals against totals.
Philadelphia has scored only 2.91 goals for per game, but is finding success in a low-event style of play. Since the turn of the New Year, the Flyers have generated 3.12 xGF/60, which ranks 18th in the league.
The Flyers own the league's second-best penalty kill success rate at 86% and lead the league with 13 shorthanded goals. Their dominance on the kill is marginalized by a painfully bad power play, which ranks 31st with a success rate of just 13%.
Cam York left Thursday's game against Toronto with an upper body injury and is listed as questionable for this matchup. Tyson Foerster missed Thursday's game and is also considered questionable for this matchup.
Samuel Ersson has been confirmed as the Flyers' starting goaltender for this matchup. He has played to a 2.3 GSAx and .900 save percentage across 29 appearances this season.
New Jersey Devils
Suffering through arguably the league's worst injury situation and receiving just an .885 save percentage from their goaltenders are valid excuses, but regardless of how it happened, the Devils now have just 29 games left to turn the season around. Their current situation looks more promising than it did throughout a bleak month of January, though, and those excuses don't hold the same weight they once did.
While New Jersey's injury report is still far from ideal with top defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler still sidelined, Jack Hughes being back in the mix means there is more than enough talent left to compete.
Nico Daws, meanwhile, has been excellent across his last three starts in goal, stopping 84-of-89 shots faced for a .965 save percentage, and has posted a quietly a solid .909 save percentage across 11 appearances this season. We should expect him to get the start in Saturday's contest.
While the Devils are not going to be a team known for elite defensive play, last season's roster was able to keep the amount of opposition chances to a low total due to its excellent brand of possession hockey. This year has offered a clear drop off in terms of defensive play, but it's possible they trend upwards on that front moving forward playing with a more complete roster.
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Flyers vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
The makings are there for this matchup to turn out to be one of the league's better outdoor games. The weather should allow for quality ice conditions, and the fact that the Devils are nipping at the Flyers' heels for third in the division adds another layer of significance. The Devils are appropriately favored, and I do not see much value with betting either side. The total is set at 6.5,which is too high for an outdoor game involving this Flyers team.
Philadelphia has been one of the more low-event teams in the league this season. Looking at the entirety of the year, the Flyers rank among the top third of the league in most defensive metrics. Their offensive play is less dominant, however, and they do not appear likely to trend upwards much moving forward.
Betting the Under on any Devils game is scary, as they feature a potent offense and league-worst goaltending. But if Daws can continue to play at a league average level, the Devils' goals against totals will trend down significantly.
The extra attention of the setting should lead to well-structured team play, with urgent pressure all over the ice. Especially considering that this can be viewed as a four-point swing for either side, this will be the closest thing we see to a playoff atmosphere in mid-February.
Pick: Under 6.5
