Flyers vs. Canadiens Betting Preview (August 19, 2020)

On Wednesday night, the Flyers and Canadiens meet in the fifth game of their Best-of-7 series in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Flyers have looked dominant defensively in consecutive wins in Game 3 and 4. Can Montreal stave off elimination in Game 5? Let’s get into our Flyers-Canadiens betting preview, including odds, boosts, and picks.

Flyers vs. Canadiens Betting Preview

The biggest story to come out of Game 3 and 4 was arguably the performance of Flyers netminder Carter Hart, who was absolutely masterful in consecutive shutout victories. At just 22 years of age, he became just the third goalie in Flyers history to record consecutive playoff shutouts.

While Hart has been consistent, confident, and borderline dominant, it would be a disservice to ignore the real reason the Flyers are on the verge of advancing to the the second round for the first time in eight years: the forecheck. The Flyers’ forecheck had been absolutely suffocating in team’s nine-game win streak near the end of the regular season, as well as through the Round Robin games. Game 2 looks to have been an anomaly as the Canadiens have been unable to solve the problem in two games since.

The key for Philadelphia in this one is to avoid the complacency that can come from consecutive shutout victories, especially when one would assume the Canadiens -facing elimination- could potentially roll over. It’s more likely we’ll see Montreal come out buzzing, looking to gain an early advantage like they did in Game 2.

Flyers vs. Canadiens Odds

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

Spread: Flyers -1.5 +195, Canadiens +1.5 -240
Moneyline: Flyers -137, Canadiens +118
Over/Under: O 5 -103, U 5 -120

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

Bets We Like With a Flyers Win

Money Puck gives the Flyers a 52.2% chance of winning this game, installing the Flyers as the favorite for the first time since Game 2. The Flyers’ implied win probability, based on the moneyline, is 57.8%, which is about 1% higher than ahead of Game 4.

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

Despite consecutive 1-0 and 2-0 shutouts, there’s a chance Montreal comes out all guns blazing, hoping to catch the Flyers off-guard. There’s also a decent likelihood that if the Flyers are leading a close game late, Montreal could look to pull Carey Price earlier than normal chasing a late tie to force overtime. If you can find the under at 5.5, we once again suggest jumping on it. That said, over 5 goals has only hit once in seven meetings between the teams in the regular season and playoffs.

That brings us to our favorite O/U stat thus far, one that has had potential to be a huge money-maker for those who have followed it. Not factoring in the Boston/Carolina game preceding the Flyers/Canadiens, the Under has hit in 28 of 39 games in the NHL’s Eastern Conference hub city of Toronto. That’s an insane trend that cannot be ignored.

Even with a desperate attempt from Montreal to avoid elimination, we fully expect the Flyers to end the series with a Game 5 victory.

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

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Bets We Like Independent of Outcome

Under 5.5 Goals (-175, FanDuel)

This has been as safe of a bet as you could find throughout this series, as it’s hit in every single game. With the possibility of a close game that could potentially hit overtime at 2-2, taking under 5.5 goals independent of outcome mitigates a bit of risk by removing the winning team qualifier.

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

Joel Embiid Over 27.5 Points and Sean Couturier Over 0.5 Points (+200, FOX Bet)

Following a three-game scoreless drought, Flyers center Sean Couturier registered an assist in Game 4. Though Alain Vigneault started Game 4 with a wild stretch of randomized lines, it stands to reason he’ll go with his typical lines, with Couturier serving as the 1C, likely between Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek. Couturier plays significant minutes on the team’s power play and penalty kill as well, adding to the likelihood of recording at least one point.

In order for the Sixers to have any chance of victory against the Boston Celtics, they’ll need a big game from their franchise center Joel Embiid. Despite attempting just four shots in the fourth quarter of Game 1, Embiid still dropped 26 points. With head coach Brett Brown desperate to avoid an 0-2 hole, expect Embiid to feast on the Celtics’ interior defense.

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

Flyers vs. Canadiens Prediction

Pick: Take the Flyers to win and under 5 goals via parlay at DraftKings Sportsbook. Place a separate bet on under 5.5 goals at FanDuel Sportsbook.