The Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-1, 1st in Metropolitan Division) are soaring into Sin City to face the undefeated Vegas Golden Knights (6-0, 1st in Pacific Division). Both teams are atop their respective divisions, making this a marquee matchup for hockey enthusiasts and bettors alike. The Flyers are coming off an OT loss to the Dallas Stars but have shown flashes of great play, while the Golden Knights are practically invincible, fresh off a win against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Flyers on the Ascent

Philadelphia finds itself at the pinnacle of the Metropolitan Division early in the season, a promising start that has fans buzzing. However, the team’s recent 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars revealed some chinks in their armor. Starting goalie Carter Hart has been formidable between the pipes, with stats that include a 2.01 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. His solid play has been crucial in keeping the Flyers competitive in games where their offense hasn’t fired on all cylinders. Samuel Ersson, who made his season debut in the loss to the Stars, struggled to replicate Hart’s form, posting a 4.82 goals-against average and a .800 save percentage. 

Offensively, Travis Konecny has emerged as the go-to scorer, leading the team with 7 points, including 5 goals. Philadelphia is netting an average of 3.20 goals per game, a respectable figure but one that could be improved. The power play has been a glaring issue, converting at a dismal rate of 5.6%. Special teams often decide games, and the Flyers will have their work cut out for them against the Golden Knights, who boast an 88.9% penalty kill rate. It’s worth noting that despite their struggles on the power play, the Flyers have shown they can score when down a man, netting three shorthanded goals in their last outing.

The Flyers’ success this season can be attributed to their balanced attack and solid goaltending, but as they head into this matchup, several trends stand out. Their inability to convert on the power play is a significant concern, especially against teams with strong penalty-killing units. 

Philadelphia Flyers Team Facts

• The Flyers have won three of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
• The Flyers have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
• The favorites have won the second period in nine of the Flyers’ last 12 games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in seven of the Flyers’ last eight games.

Golden Knights in Cruise Control

The Vegas Golden Knights are setting the pace in the Pacific Division, with an unblemished record that has T-Mobile Arena buzzing. Their most recent victory, a 5-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks, showcased the team’s offensive firepower and defensive solidity. Adin Hill has been nearly unbeatable in goal, posting a 1.73 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. Hill has been instrumental in limiting opponents’ scoring chances and has shown the ability to make key saves in crunch time. Logan Thompson, the backup goalie, has also been solid, with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage, providing the Golden Knights with quality depth in the crease.

On the offensive end, Chandler Stephenson has been the standout player, racking up 7 points with 2 goals and 5 assists. But he’s not the only threat; Jack Eichel has also been firing, contributing 3 goals to the team’s cause. The Golden Knights are averaging a whopping 4.00 goals per game. Their power play has been lethal, converting at a 27.3% clip, something that could tilt the scales in their favor against the Flyers, whose penalty kill rate is a decent but not insurmountable 82.4%.

Several important trends further bolster the Golden Knights’ standing as they prepare for this game. First, their home record has been outstanding, winning all three games played at T-Mobile Arena this season. Second, their performance in third periods has been remarkable, outscoring opponents 10-3. This ability to close out games is a significant asset and could be a determining factor against a Flyers team that has shown vulnerability in overtime. Vegas has demonstrated excellent discipline, taking the fewest penalties in the league.

Vegas Golden Knights Team Facts

• The Golden Knights have won each of their last eight games.
• The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games.
• The Golden Knights have won the third period in each of their last six games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last 20 Tuesday at T-Mobile Arena.

David’s Pick – Vegas Golden Knights (-204)

This matchup features an up and coming Philadelphia with the reigning Stanley Cup champions and Vegas has the obvious edge. The Golden Knights are 3-0 at home and 6-0 overall, giving them the upper hand against a Flyers team that has shown some inconsistencies. The Flyers’ lackluster power play could be their Achilles heel against a Golden Knights team that excels in special teams. Both teams have solid goaltending, but Vegas has the better-rounded squad and the home-ice advantage. Expect the Golden Knights to keep their winning streak alive and hand the Flyers their second loss of the season.