Maple Leafs vs Flyers December 3 NHL Betting Preview: Underdog Flyers Vie for Fifth Straight Win
- Philadelphia Flyers pegged as underdogs against Toronto despite riding four-game win streak
- Flyers have picked up at least a point in six straight games
- Maple Leafs have won four of five, and are 6-2-0 on the road with Frederik Andersen in net
The Philadelphia Flyers will be looking to extend their season-high winning streak to five games when they host the resurgent Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night as +102 home underdogs in the Maple Leafs vs Flyers odds.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Philadelphia Flyers Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Maple Leafs | -1.5 (+205) | -113 | O 6.5 (+100) |
| Philadelphia Flyers | +1.5 (-245) | +102 | U 6.5 (-110) |
Odds taken on Dec. 3
Stingy Defense Powering Six-Game Points Streak
Philadelphia returns home after outlasting the Montreal Canadiens in a 4-3 victory on Saturday, and has now picked up points in six straight contests going into Tuesday’s Maple Leafs vs Flyers matchup at Wells Fargo Center.
Ivan Provorov dangles in overtime and hands the Canadiens their seventh consecutive loss.
The Flyers have won four games in a row.pic.twitter.com/cwrrEXF9Lh
— Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) November 30, 2019
The Flyers have played stingy defense since suffering a season-worst 7-1 loss in Pittsburgh on October 29. Philadelphia surrendered just 2.5 goals per game in its 16 November outings and has allowed just seven total goals during the team’s current four-game surge.
Flyers Plagued by Sporadic Offense
However, the Flyers’ strong defensive play has now translated into steady results on the scoreboard, with the club recording a four-game losing streak and two four-game win streaks over their past 14 contests. Offensive struggles have also contributed to the Flyers’ recent disappointing results on home.
While Philadelphia has suffered just one loss in regulation on home ice this season, the club has failed to consistently slam the door on visiting opponents of late.
Strong November for the @NHLFlyers. #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/gBcH9HBv3c
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) December 3, 2019
The Flyers have been held to two or fewer goals in three of their past five home dates, a run that has featured shootout losses to Washington, Calgary, and the New York Islanders.
The Flyers have been held to two or fewer goals in three of their past five home dates, a run that has featured shootout losses to Washington, Calgary, and the New York Islanders, but showed signs of opening up offensively in a 6-1 win over the last-place Detroit Red Wings in their last home date on November 29.
Leafs Rebounding with Keefe at the Helm
That could emerge as an issue against the Maple Leafs, who travel to Philadelphia as narrow -113 road chalk in Tuesday night’s contest. The Maple Leafs are coming off a narrow 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night, but have otherwise shown signs of awaking from a goal-scoring slump since the arrival of newly hired head coach Sheldon Keefe.
The biggest change Cody Ceci has seen since Sheldon Keefe came in?
"Guys have just started working harder again" ? pic.twitter.com/5FW8uT1wrF
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) November 30, 2019
The Maple Leafs averaged just 2.5 goals over the eight games prior to the firing of head coach Mike Babcock including a dismal six-game losing streak that posed a legitimate threat to their playoff hopes. However, the club has doubled that offensive production over Keefe’s first five games at the helm, going 4-1-0 during that stretch including wins in three of four road contests.
Confidence High with Andersen in Net
Toronto has also played particularly well with goaltender Frederik Andersen between the pipes. The Maple Leafs have outscored opponents by a wide 16-5 margin while posting victories in each of Andersen’s past four starts, and are 6-2-0 on the road with the Great Dane in the crease this season.
Frederik Andersen finishes the month of November with a .938 save percentage
— Cameron Erwin (@cam94erwin) December 1, 2019
The Maple Leafs’ high-scoring ways on the road have fueled a steady 9-4 run for the “Over” in their past 13 dates away from Scotiabank Arena. However, the club has failed to run up the score in recent trips to Philadelphia, scoring two or fewer goals three times while dropping four of five on the road to the Flyers.
Andersen’s magic has also eluded the Maple Leafs at times in recent trips to Philadelphia. Toronto has compiled a middling 1-1-2 record in Andersen’s past four road starts against the Flyers, capped by a 4-3 shootout victory in Philadelphia back on November 2.
Picks: Maple Leafs -115; Under 6.5 (-110)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
