On Sunday afternoon, the Flyers and Bruins resume their respective seasons following a nearly five-month pause in the NHL season due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Here’s our Flyers-Bruins betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.

 

Preview

Both teams feature teams with finalists for major NHL awards as Boston’s Bruce Cassidy and Philadelphia’s Alain Vigneault were announced as finalists for the Jack Adams trophy, while Patrice Bergeron and Sean Couturier were nominated for the Selke trophy.

It’s sure to be a star-studded affair as the Boston Bruins, the top team in the Eastern Conference, takes on the fourth seed Philadelphia Flyers in Round Robin action.

It’s almost fitting that the Flyers and Bruins will resume their season facing each other, as this was the same matchup that ended their respective seasons prior to the NHL Pause. The March 10 matchup saw the Bruins prevail 2-0, their first win over the Orange & Black on the season. Philadelphia had previously downed the Eastern Conference’s top seed in a 6-5 shootout victory on January 13 and 3-2 via shootout on November 10.

Prior to the NHL Pause, the Flyers had won their previous five games as underdogs following a loss. While this game stands in somewhat stark contrast given the nearly five month period between games, the Flyers enter play coming off a 3-2 OT win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. On the other hand, the Bruins looked disjointed in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Additionally, there’s a growing belief that Boston could be without starting netminder Tuukka Rask, which would be quite a blow.

 

Flyers vs. Bruins Odds

Here’s the line for the Flyers and Bruins at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:

  • Spread: Flyers +1.5, Bruins -1.5
  • Moneyline: Flyers +110, Bruins -127
  • Over/Under: O 5.5 +105, U 5.5 -127

[sb-standard teams=”Philadelphia Flyers” books=”DraftKings”]

 

Bets We Like With a Flyers Win

Money Puck gives the Flyers an 50.2% chance of winning this game.

Flyers Win and Under 5.5 Goals (+190, DraftKings)

If we’ve learned anything from the first day of the NHL’s Return to Play, it’s that while the level of play might be better than expected, it’s still not up to the standard of playoff hockey. Perhaps it’s an issue with the ice in Toronto and Edmonton, but only one game went over 5.5 goals. Factor in the three previous meetings between Boston and Philadelphia, only one of the matchups went over 5.5 goals.

You can get this one at DraftKings Sportsbook by clicking here.

 

Bets We Like With a Bruins Win

David Pastrnak to Score a Goal and Bruins to Win (+220, FOX Bet)

There’s not a ton of value in taking the Bruins to win outright, but there is when combined with 49-goal-scorer David Pastrnak lighting the lamp. Pastrnak scored one goal in three games against the Flyers this season, but in a resumption of play that’s seen the cream rise to the top, Pastrnak should get plenty of opportunities to score. If you’re leaning toward a Boston win, add in Pastrnak scoring to get +220 odds.

New users at FOX Bet can get $1,000 free when they sign up here, depending on state:

 

Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Sean Couturier and David Pastrnak Both Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+580, FanDuel Sportsbook)

It’s always taking a look at a somewhat long-odds bet resting on two players, with one serving as a near-lock to complete his half of the bet.

Boston’s David Pastrnak was in the midst of an absolutely electric season prior to the NHL Pause back in March, racking up 48 goals and 47 assists in just 70 games. Pastrnak is the near-lock, having recorded at least four shots on goal in eight of the Bruins’ final ten games, including a stretch of four consecutive games with at least five shots on goal in each.

Sean Couturier is where the bet really hinges. On a professional note, he’s riding high after being named a finalist for the Selke Trophy. On a personal note, he became a father a few days before Philadelphia left for Toronto. With his position as the team’s top center locked in and a newfound purpose, expect a decisive Couturier to take the ice. Including the team’s exhibition game against Pittsburg, Couturier has put at least three shots on goal in five of his last ten games.

With a potentially shortened bench and more minutes available for the center, this could be a bet worth looking at.

You can get this one at FanDuel Sportsbook PA by clicking here.

 

Flyers vs. Bruins Prediction

Pick: It’s tough to pick against the only team in the NHL to hit the 100 point mark, but with question marks surrounding the status of Boston’s Tuukka Rask and Brad Marchand, combined with the exhibition game performances, this one feels like a win for the Flyers.

Take the Flyers and under 5.5 goals.