The only thing separating the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers to this point in the season is how their head-to-head series has gone.
The Flyers enter Wednesday's NHL betting rematch having picked up five of a possible six points through their first three meetings with their East Division rivals—and that is the basis for Philadelphia's five-point lead over the Rangers in the standings.
But with three more meetings with Philadelphia over the next 11 days, New York has a chance to make up some ground as it continues to rebound from a slow start to the season.
These are our favorite NHL free picks and predictions for Flyers vs Rangers on March 17, with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Philadelphia Flyers at New York Rangers betting preview
Injuries
Flyers: Morgan Frost C (Out), Isaac Ratcliffe F (Out).
Rangers: Igor Shesterkin G (Out), Adam Fox D (Questionable), Pavel Buchnevich F (Questionable), Phil Di Giuseppe F (Questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Flyers have won 11 of the past 13 head-to-head meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Flyers vs. Rangers.
NHL sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonPhiladelphia bounced between -135 and -130 a few times since opening late Tuesday night at PointsBet USA, and Philly is at -130 as of 5 p.m. ET today. The Flyers are landing 71 percent of tickets and 68 percent of cash on the moneyline. The total opened at 6 (Over -114), and that price bounced up a few cents to -118 before reverting to -115, with the Over taking 63 percent of bets/78 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameMoneyline pick
The temptation might be to ride Philadelphia's incredible run of success over the Rangers to a Flyers ML pick Wednesday. And with the visitors at a reasonable -130 to extend their dominance over New York, it should be a popular play.
But a closer look at the numbers suggests that there's more value in taking the Rangers here.
As suggested at the outset, these teams are closer than the head-to-head history suggests. All three games between the teams this season have been decided by a goal, with two of them decided in extra time. And New York has fared well in recent games at Madison Square Garden, having gone 2-1-1 SU in its last four, despite being the underdog in three of those contests.
We expect the Rangers to be competitive yet again—which makes them a great home underdog play here.
PREDICTION: New York ML (+110)
Over/Under pick
The total for Wednesday's return engagement is set at 6, leaving the push potential in play. But there will likely be plenty of action on the Over, with the teams averaging seven total goals over their first three meetings of the season. And the goals came fast and furious last time out, with the Flyers and Rangers blowing past the total early in the third period.
The Rangers will start Alexandar Georgiev (3.33 goals-against average, .887 save percentage) in goal Wednesday, while the Flyers are expected to roll with Carter Hart (3.61 GAA, .884 SV%).
Neither netminder has looked all that good this season, and with both offenses clicking at the moment, the Over looks like a strong option.
PREDICTION: Over 6 (-110)
Flyers vs Rangers betting card
- New York ML (+110)
- Over 6 (-110)
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