Posted on
3/25/2008 1:28:28 PM
NHL Sportsbook Betting Picks - Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
By Robby Maddux
When the New York Rangers (39-26-10) host the Philadelphia Flyers (38-28-10) this evening at 7:00pm EST they'll be without their leading scorer. That's not good news for the NHL betting group planning on investing in the Rangers, who are trying to secure a playoff spot.
A rib injury is expected to keep center Scott Gomez, who leads New York with 51 assists and 67 points, out of this game and possibly for Thursday’s contest versus the New Jersey Devils.
Gomez suffered the injury when he crashed into the boards in the Rangers’ most recent game, a 4-3 shootout loss at Philadelphia on Friday.
His absence will not help a New York power play game which has been held to one goal in its last 26 opportunities. Petr Prucha will be replacing Gomez. Prucha had 52 goals over his first two NHL seasons before posting just seven in 56 games this season.
New York has followed a 10-0-3 stretch by losing three of five, falling to sixth place in the Eastern Conference and only two points ahead of the Flyers.
The Rangers can ill afford another major slide over the final two weeks because four teams currently out of the playoff picture are within eight points of them. New York owns a six-point edge over ninth-place Washington Capitals.
The Rangers are 6-0-1 in their last seven home games, including a 5-4 shootout win over the Flyers on March 2.
Key NHL wagering trends:
- Rangers are 14-6 in their last 20 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Rangers are 7-2 in their last 9 vs. Atlantic.
- Rangers are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Rangers are 1-4 in their last 5 Tuesday games.
- Rangers are 35-16 in their last 51 home games.
- Rangers are 9-4 in their last 13 overall.
Philadelphia endured a 10-game losing streak in February and a four-game skid earlier this month. However, the Flyers have since rebounded to win three straight, including a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders on Sunday.
Philadelphia's Martin Biron has been solid between the pipes since being pulled in the second period of a 7-1 loss at Pittsburgh on March 16. Biron has stopped 55 of the 59 shots he’s faced in winning his last two starts, and stopped both shootout attempts by the Rangers in Friday’s win.
Biron had been 0-3 versus the Rangers in 2007-08 before beating them last week as Philadelphia won for just the second time in seven meetings this season.
- Flyers are 4-0 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Flyers are 17-38 in their last 55 vs. Atlantic.
- Flyers are 2-8 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Flyers are 1-4 in their last 5 Tuesday games.
- Flyers are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
BetUS NHL odds lists New York the -160 money-line favorites and -1½ +180 on the spread with a game total of 5½ under -130.
- Rangers are 15-6 in their last 21 games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
- Rangers are 14-5 in their last 19 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
- Rangers are 36-15 in their last 51 games as a home favorite.
- Flyers are 34-71 in their last 105 games as an underdog.
- Flyers are 1-6 in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
Analysis: The Flyers are 2-7 in the last nine meetings, but the road team in this series is 17-7 in the last 24 matchups and the underdog is 5-1 in the last six. Biron is hot and should be able to shutdown the Rangers for a fourth straight Philadelphia victory.
NHL Free Picks: Philadelphia Flyers +140
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