PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's Chalk Game of the Year
(NHL) Edmonton vs. Philadelphia,
Money Line: -156.00 Philadelphia (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -156.00 Philadelphia (Home)
Result: Loss
There are many reasons why I like Philadelphia.
Let's start with the situation. Edmonton is playing for the fifth time in eight days. The Oilers are the worst road team in the NHL at 8-25. Yet they are off a 2-1 road overtime victory against Buffalo this past Tuesday. The Sabres were disinterested. The Flyers won't be.
The much improved Flyers are only three points away from the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Oilers aren't going to the playoffs. They have the second fewest-points in the league and are tied with Toronto for having the worst goal differential in the league.
The Oilers are 10-43 the past 53 times when playing on the road against an opponent with a winning home mark. The Flyers are 16-8-7 at home. They have won three in a row and should be extremely focused knowing they can't afford a home loss to this lowly opponent. This matchup is spaced out well for the Flyers, who last played on Monday and don't play again until Saturday. The home team has won seven of the last eight in the series.
Philadelphia also holds all the main statistical edges. The Flyers rank 22nd in scoring and 16th on defense. Edmonton rates 26th in scoring and also is 26th defensively. The Flyers rank 12th in shots taken compared to the Oilers' 24th ranking in the category and also score a higher percentage on their power play opportunities than Edmonton.
Let's start with the situation. Edmonton is playing for the fifth time in eight days. The Oilers are the worst road team in the NHL at 8-25. Yet they are off a 2-1 road overtime victory against Buffalo this past Tuesday. The Sabres were disinterested. The Flyers won't be.
The much improved Flyers are only three points away from the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Oilers aren't going to the playoffs. They have the second fewest-points in the league and are tied with Toronto for having the worst goal differential in the league.
The Oilers are 10-43 the past 53 times when playing on the road against an opponent with a winning home mark. The Flyers are 16-8-7 at home. They have won three in a row and should be extremely focused knowing they can't afford a home loss to this lowly opponent. This matchup is spaced out well for the Flyers, who last played on Monday and don't play again until Saturday. The home team has won seven of the last eight in the series.
Philadelphia also holds all the main statistical edges. The Flyers rank 22nd in scoring and 16th on defense. Edmonton rates 26th in scoring and also is 26th defensively. The Flyers rank 12th in shots taken compared to the Oilers' 24th ranking in the category and also score a higher percentage on their power play opportunities than Edmonton.
