Flyers Division Title Odds Surge from +2000 to +820; Could Philly Catch the Caps and Islanders?
- The Philadelphia Flyers odds to win the Metropolitan Division have been shortened to +820
- The Flyers have points in seven straight games and have finally found their franchise goalie
- Do their current odds present any value?
It’s been eight years since the Philadelphia Flyers won a division title, but this year’s team looks like a real threat to contend for the Metropolitan crown. Philly has come roaring out of the gate with a 10-5-3 record and sits alone in third, behind the Capitals and Islanders.
2019-20 NHL Metropolitan Division Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Washington Capitals | +125 |
| New York Islanders | +300 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +500 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | +600 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +900 |
| New York Rangers | +4500 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +7000 |
| New Jersey Devils | +8000 |
Odds taken on Nov. 14
Despite their strong start, they have just the fifth shortest NHL Metropolitan division odds, trailing not only Washington and New York, but Carolina and Pittsburgh as well. Their average price has been shortened from +2000 to +820 in the last week, thanks to a stretch that includes points in seven straight games.
Flying High
Philadelphia is undefeated in regulation in November, and is 8-2-2 in their last 12. In the past week, they’ve taken five out of a possible six points from the Caps, Bruins and Leafs, while holding them to just five goals.
Just a casual ?? from G in the shootout. Not a big deal. #PHIvsTOR | #FlyOrDie pic.twitter.com/MhAubB99yz
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 10, 2019
The Flyers were 3-7 versus those three teams last season, and were outscored by a 43-27 margin. They did fall short to Washington in OT last time out, but they became the first team to hold the Caps to under two goals all season.
On offense, they’ve been getting the job done with a balanced scoring attack, as no player on the roster ranks inside the top-13 in NHL scoring. They could certainly use more production from Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek and Kevin Hayes, but without a doubt the biggest reason for their success has been the play of Carter Hart.
Finally a Franchise Goalie
Philadelphia has a long history of failure between the pipes and have been searching for a franchise goalie ever since Ron Hextall left in the 90’s. They’ve drafted 41 netminders since his departure, but finally, two decades later they appear to have a keeper.
Our Hart skipped a beat. #PHIvsBOS | #FlyOrDie pic.twitter.com/2a9TEiYnqd
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) November 11, 2019
Carter Hart has been brilliant in his sophomore campaign, posting a 2.53 GAA and a 6-3-2 record in 11 starts this season. He’s been especially good over the last few weeks, recording a .939 save percentage and a 1.80 GAA in his last five outings.
Most goalie wins, #Flyers history, age 21 or under:
Carter Hart – 20
Everyone else ever – 2 pic.twitter.com/DUlHFsCO8P— ??? ????? (@RochesRWinners) November 6, 2019
Elite goaltending is a must for success in the NHL these days, especially in a division that features the league’s highest-scoring team. If Hart is able to maintain this level of play, the Flyers will be a dangerous team to face every time they step on the ice, but they still don’t quite stack up to the division leader.
Can the Flyers Challenge the Caps?
With all due to respect to the Flyers, Islanders, Hurricanes and Penguins, the Metropolitan division belongs to the Caps. Washington has racked up an NHL best 32 points so far, and hasn’t lost in regulation in 13 games. They lead the league in goals scored and goal differential and feature a Hart and Norris trophy candidate.
The @Capitals improved to 14-2-4 (32 points) through 20 GP in 2019-20, the highest point total through the first 20 games of a season in franchise history. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/dq3wJEvBWL
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 14, 2019
A big difference between Washington and Philadelphia is the Caps ability to excel both at home and on the road. They’re 5-1-3 at Capital One Arena, and 9-1-1 on the road. The Flyers on the other hand, are 6-1-1 at home, but a dismal 2-4-1 away from Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia is a nice story, and appear poised to land a playoff berth, but they don’t belong in the same conversation as Washington just yet. They do seem like a better bet than the Penguins given Sidney Crosby’s current injury concerns, but no Metropolitan team presents enough value to want to stray from the Caps.
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
