NHL Hockey Free Pick: Philadelphia Flyers vs New Jersey Devils
Hockey betting fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 29-25-3
New Jersey: 36-20-2
Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Flyers +135, Devils -155
Sooner or later, Ilya Kovalchuk has to bust out. It’s not like the effort isn’t there in his first few games as a Devil; he has 17 shots over his last two games, including nine in Monday’s 3-2 loss to Philadelphia. It’s only a matter of time before he gets one and, when he does, the floodgates may open.
Tonight may well be the night everything comes together for Kovie, as the Flyers will start backup Michael Leighton in place of injured Ray Emery. He’s allowed just five goals over his last three starts but, as his 2.84 goals against average and .903 save percentage on the season remind us, he’s still Michael Leighton, career backup. 
As Kovalchuk and linemates Dainius Zubrus and Patrick Elias get more time to gel, they’ll heat up.
The Flyers won’t go quietly after beating New Jersey on Monday. I especially expect Jeff Carter to bring his A-game. Early reports out of Anaheim suggest Ryan Getzlaf’s ankle won’t keep him out of the Olympics, but sprains are unpredictable things and easily re-aggravated. Carter could be first in line to replace him on Team Canada’s roster and I’m sure he knows this. He’ll likely work extra hard to put a puck or two past Marty Brodeur.
Expect more offense than usual from these two teams tonight. In the end, it’s New Jersey at home against a backup goalie. So we have to pick the Devils.
NHL Betting Trends:
New Jersey is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
New Jersey is 18-5 SU in its last 23 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Jersey’s last 9 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of New Jersey’s last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games
Philadelphia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Philadelphia’s last 9 games when playing New Jersey
Pick: Devils -155
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Shea Matthews lives and breathes sports. He made the transition from athlete to sports journalist at a young age, writing in TV & national newspapers. He now applies his knowledge to sports betting and handicapping every day, and shares his winning picks with the world.
