Flyers vs. Canadiens Betting Preview (August 18, 2020)

On Tuesday afternoon, the Flyers and Canadiens meet in the fourth game of their Best-of-7 series in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flyers rebounded in Game 3, shutting out the Canadiens 1-0, while reestablishing the defensive prowess that made them an odds-on favorite to win the Stanley Cup. Let’s get into our Flyers-Canadiens betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.

Flyers vs. Canadiens Betting Preview

It’s often said that a playoff hockey series can consist of massive fluctuations from game-to-game, making the spectator feel like they’re watching an entirely different series from one game to another. That’s certainly been true thus far through three games between Montreal and Philadelphia.

After an absolutely dominant performance from start to finish in Game 2, Montreal was riding high with many stating the Habs were on their way to pulling off an upset similar to the one they were able to execute in the Qualifying Round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Alas, it was not meant to be as the Orange & Black did a phenomenal job of reestablishing their deadly forecheck, pinning the Canadiens deep in their defensive zone routinely.

The Flyers continued an incredible trend from the second half of the season, in which they hadn’t lost consecutive games, taking them to 9-0-0 in their last nine games following a loss. Head coach Alain Vigneault did his best to take some heat off of his team by bringing up Montreal’s top power play unit being on the ice in a 5-0 game in Game 2. While the Flyers power play continues to struggle, their PK was once again excellent and didn’t allow a goal.

In a series that will see the teams play Game 4 and Game 5 on back-to-back days, some lineup changes could be coming and the likelihood of backup netminders getting the call is a real possibility.

Flyers vs. Canadiens Odds

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

Spread: Flyers -1.5 +210, Canadiens +1.5 -265
Moneyline: Flyers -132, Canadiens +115
Over/Under: O 5 -134, U 5 +110

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

Bets We Like With a Flyers Win

Money Puck gives the Flyers a 42.1% chance of winning this game, installing the Flyers as the underdog for the second consecutive game. Money Puck had been virtually perfect at predicting Flyers games in the Toronto bubble, yet it appears the stench of Philadelphia’s Game 2 effort is still affecting the computer models. The Flyers’ implied win probability, based on the moneyline, is 56.9%, which is about 1% lower than ahead of Game 3.

Flyers Win and Under 5 Total Goals (+250, DraftKings)

While we’d encourage trying to seek out an O/U of 5.5, DraftKings Sportsbook offers the ability to create a same-game parlay linking a Flyers win and under 5 total goals.

Taking the under in Toronto is the gift that keeps on giving. Entering play Monday, the under hit in 25 of 35 games played in the Eastern Conference hub city. In six games between the teams this season -three in the regular season, three in the postseason- the teams have combined for exactly five goals three times, under five goals twice, and over five goals just once.

Given the way in which the Flyers reestablished their defensive identity, it stands to reason that likelihood of the game going under 5 total goals is high. The only notable caveat is that Game 4 will be the first of the day to take place in Toronto, rather than the second as was the case in Game 3.

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

Sean Couturier to Score a Goal Anytime and Flyers to Win (+400, FOX Bet)

This isn’t so much a surefire bet as much as it’s a law of averages bet. Sean Couturier is in the midst of his longest goalless drought since a stretch of eight games from mid-January through early February.

Game 3 saw a reunion of Jakub Voracek with Claude Giroux and Couturier, a line that recorded the game’s only goal. Considering the likelihood of that combination rolling out again as the Flyers’ top line in Game 4, as well as Couturier’s presence on the power play and penalty kill, this bet has a solid chance of hitting while giving you more value than taking the Flyers’ moneyline alone.

FOX Bet has this bet available for bettors in Pennsylvania here and in New Jersey here.

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Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Under 5.5 Goals (-160, FanDuel)

The reasons for taking under 5.5 goals outlined above speak for themselves, but if you’re uncomfortable with tying the under to a specific winner, the best value is at FanDuel Sportsbook with -160 odds for the standalone bet.

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

Flyers vs. Canadiens Prediction

Pick: After a wakeup call in Game 2, the Flyers exerted their dominance is practically every facet of the game, smothering Montreal deep in their defensive zone throughout. Expect a similar scenario to play out in this one. While there will likely be more than a single goal scored, take the under and the Flyers to win.