The Philadelphia Flyers (24-29-11), one of the league’s top penalty killing teams, head to face the Carolina Hurricanes (42-12-8) and their weak power play offense at PNC Arena on Thursday. Philadelphia is coming off a 5-2 loss against the Lightning on Tuesday, their third straight defeat away from home.
The Flyers committed six penalties in the game, conceding three power play goals. Brendan Lemieux and Morgan Frost both scored once for the Flyers. Carter Hart saved only 34 of 39 shots against (.871%) in the loss.
Carolina won their third straight game, beating the Canadiens 4-3 (SO) on Tuesday. Jesper Fast, Jaccob Slavin, and Brady Skjei each scored once for the Hurricanes. Brett Pesce had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Frederik Andersen saved 13 of 14 shots in the win (.928%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Hurricanes have won both games between the teams this season, including a 6-5 victory in their most recent meeting in December, their fifth straight win against Philadelphia.
Jordan Martinook (1G 2A) and Jordan Staal (0G 3A) each had three points to lead Carolina. Tony DeAngelo, Scott Laughton, and Travis Konecny each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Philadelphia. Antti Raanta got the win despite allowing five goals on 31 shots (.838%).
FACING OFF
Philadelphia is averaging just 2.61 goals per game for the season, 29th in the NHL. The visitors will face a tough challenge against a Hurricanes team that is allowing only 2.52 goals a game (2nd).
Meanwhile, Carolina has found the net 3.42 times a game on average, seventh in the league, and the Flyers are allowing opponents to score 3.28 goals per game (20th).
Carolina averages more shots a game (35.3) than most teams in the league, ranking third. With an average of 29.5 attempts, Philadelphia ranks 25th.
The Flyers’ 32nd-ranked power play offense (15.38%) will face a challenging test against the Hurricanes, who are the league’s second-best penalty killing team (83.57%).
Carolina, meanwhile, has scored on 21.78% of their power play opportunities (13th), which the hosts will be seeking to build on against Philadelphia’s 25th-ranked 75.00% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 54 points this season, Konecny is the top skater for the Flyers. He has 27 goals and 27 assists in 52 games. In the net, Hart (17-19-10) is Philadelphia’s top goaltender. He has a 2.89 GAA and a .908% save percentage.
Martin Necas (59 points), Sebastian Aho (55), and Andrei Svechnikov (54) lead the Hurricanes in scoring. Necas has 25 goals and 34 assists in 62 games, while Aho has 27 goals and 28 assists in 55 games.
Svechnikov has 22 goals and 32 assists. Raanta (16-2-3) has the best goals against average for Carolina at 2.26, third-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .909%.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 12-14-7 away from home this season. Carolina is 22-7-2 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Carolina Hurricanes -2.5 (+105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
