Washington Looks To End Philadelphia’s Season
The Capitals vs Flyers odds Favor the Latter to Survive

The Washington Capitals can end the Philadelphia Flyers season with a win tonight, claiming the last wild card spot for themselves. If Philadelphia grabs two points in regulation then it gets complicated.
Philadelphia needs the Montreal Canadiens to beat the Detroit Red Wings and then the New York Islanders must beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. The NHL betting lines show that the Flyers have opened as a -140 favorite with a total of 5.5 (over -115).
Before we get to our NHL score prediction, let’s break down why with our Capitals vs Flyers odds preview.
Capitals vs Flyers 
Records: Washington Capitals (39-31-11), Philadelphia Flyers (38-32-11)
Day/Time:
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Streaming: NBC Sports Philadelphia & Monumental Sports Network
Capitals Ride Goaltending In Playoffs
It’s about this time of year when the discussion comes up on how to stop Alex Ovechkin, who has had a quiet 30-goal and 64-point season, in the playoffs. This year is different with the focus being on their 30-year-old goaltender Charlie Lindgren (24-16-7, 2.71 GA, .910).
The former St. Cloud State netminder has allowed just six goals in his last four games and owns a 2.00 goals-against average in his last six starts. If the Capitals make the postseason their likely first-round opponent will be the Boston Bruins. On Monday, Washington sent a message to the 109-point Bruins, handing the B’s a 2-0 loss behind 16 saves from Lindgren.
For bettors, this is the first season since 2021 that the Capitals have turned a profit with 6.25 units. Only five other teams have been kinder to the public’s wallets, with the majority of that success coming as a favorite where they have posted a 14-5 record (+5.06 units).
The results haven’t been as good as an underdog record-wise (25-37) but they still have turned a small +1.19 profit.
Inconsistent Goaltending Dooms Flyers
With legal troubles dooming Carter Hart’s (12-9-3, 2.80, .906) season, the trouble in net for Philly runs much deeper than playing performance on the ice. Hart played his last game on January 20th against the Colorado Avalanche (7-4 loss), leaving the Flyers 25-15-6.
Since that night, Philadelphia is just 13-17-5 and just about played themselves out of the postseason. Hart’s absence has exposed the Flyers’ lack of depth between the pipes with Samuel Ersson (23-18-7, 2.86, .890) not ready to carry his team to the postseason yet.
There have been some glimpses of improvement in his last two games after the 24-year-old Swede allowed just one goal in his last six periods against the New York Rangers (4-1 win) and the New York Rangers (1-0 win).
The Flyers have barely been profitable this season with nine units won. If they beat the Capitals it would end a three-year run of finishing in the red for bettors.
Only five other teams (San Jose, Anaheim, Chicago, Columbus, and Montreal) have been less profitable since the 2021 season.
Capitals Put An End To Philly
We know that oddsmakers aren’t dumb, but making the Flyers a -140 favorite is head-scratching. We figured it would be in the -130 range but not only are they not a smaller favorite but the public seems to be all in on the favorite.
As a home favorite, this isn’t a spot where Philadelphia has thrived, producing a 9-8 record but -1.90 units. Since 2021, the Flyers are 2-18 as a home favorite (-3.91 units). We can’t lay this price with a team that hasn’t shown they deserve this much respect.
Our official best bet is to side with the Capitals and the generous plus money. That wraps up our Capitals vs Flyers odds preview, all the best with your NHL picks and parlays tonight.
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