Categories
NHL

Philadelphia Flyers vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks & NHL Preview

Flyers vs Devils NHL Spread/Handicapping

Flyers Try for First Win of Season – Visit Devils Tuesday Night

The Philadelphia Flyers have not exactly gotten off to the fast start required in this lockout shortened season dropping their first two games while getting outscored 8-3 along the way. The road doesn’t get any easier Tuesday night when they travel to New Jersey to take on Martin Brodeur and the Devils – winners of their first and only game of the season so far.

Bet On NHL Hockey Today at One of our top online sportsbooks!!!

Philadelphia Flyers (0-2-0-0) at New Jersey Devils (1-0-0-0)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
Broadcast: NBCSN, CSN-PH
Flyers vs. Devils Betting Lines from TOPBet.eu
Philadelphia Flyers +1½ -280 +105 Ov 5½ +115
New Jersey Devils -1½ +235 -116 Un 5½ -127

Matchup | Preview

Check out our in-house NHL Handicapper!!! Buy Razor Ray’s NHL Picks Today!

Strangely the Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in an almost “must-win” situation just three games into the season – three losses to start a 48 game season would be a blow for sure.

The reason for Philadelphia’s slow start can’t be pegged on just one thing – they are struggling in almost every aspect of the game. The Flyers are giving up and average of 6 more shots per game than they are generating and when needed, the goaltending isn’t stealing any games.

CLICK TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert NFL Picks for 2013 NFL PLAYOFFS Betting!

The power play is just 1 for 9 so far this season and the PK has given up five goals against.

Philadelphia will be forced to play without one of their spark plugs again on Tuesday night – Danny Briere will miss at least another two games with a wrist injury. The Flyers could certainly use his energy and his scoring touch to break the mini-slump.

Ilya Bryzgalov will need to step up his game as well – he has been between the pipes for both of Philadelphia’s losses, has a 3.05 goals against average and a .909 save percentage – not nearly good enough if the Flyers hope to contend.

The New Jersey Devils have played only one game so far this season, a 2-1 win over the New York Islanders on Saturday. Defensively the Devils looked typically terrific allowing just 19 shots on goal – Martin Brodeur did the rest! [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Ilya Kovalchuk will hopefully be acclimated to the North American time zone on Tuesday after spending months in Russia and threatening to stay there.

He gives the Devils an added offensive touch that will likely be needed against the desperate Flyers.

Betting Prediction:

A few trends to consider:

• Over is 7-1-1 in PHI last 9 road games.
• Over is 13-6-1 in PHI last 20 overall.
• Under is 6-1-1 in NJ last 8 overall.
• Under is 4-1-3 in NJ last 8 vs. Eastern Conference.
• Under is 4-1-3 in NJ last 8 vs. Atlantic.
• PHI are 8-21 in the last 29 meetings in New Jersey.
• Home team is 43-21 in the last 64 meetings.

The Philadelphia Flyers have traditionally had a very difficult time in New Jersey – 8-29 in their last 37 at the Devils. Heading into Tuesday night’s encounter, the Flyers have struggled and expect that to continue.

Until the defense shows up and until Ilya Bryzgalov finds his form, the Flyers will threaten the distinction of being one of the more disappointing teams in the NHL.

Martin Brodeur has a knack of raising the level of his game against Philadelphia – he will be the difference Tuesday.

Pick: New Jersey Devils -116

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.