Stanley Cup odds update: Movement in the Metropolitan
Philadelphia Flyers forward Claude Giroux skates during a regular-season NHL hockey game between the Flyers and the Detroit Red Wings. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire)
February 28th, 2020
In this week’s Stanley Cup odds update, we’ll take a look at two clubs in the Metropolitan Division that have seen dramatic moves in their future odds within the last month. Are the Philadelphia Flyers or New York Rangers worth a wager?
Philadelphia Flyers
Current odds: +2000
Odds Feb. 1: +3000
If the Flyers, winners of four straight, can beat the red-hot Rangers (9-1 in their last 10 games) on Friday night, they’ll close out February with a 10-3 record for the month.
Philly’s offense has found its best stride, with 4.33 goals per game over the last 12 tilts. Scoring has come from just about every line, and Kevin Hayes has paced the team with seven goals in that span. Sean Couturier has six goals since Feb. 1, and Travis Konecny (the team’s points leader this month, with 14) and Scott Laughton each have five over that stretch.
Kevin Hayes championship belt dot gif pic.twitter.com/pSTER3qvo3
— Ryan Gilbert (@RGilbertSOP) February 21, 2020
However, the hallmark of a Stanley Cup-worthy club is an ability to win on the road, and the Flyers’ 14-18 record away from Wells Fargo Center this year does not inspire confidence.
Philly has regularly rolled out Brian Elliott in lieu of Carter Hart on the road (22 games for the “backup,” compared to 17 for Hart), because of the latter’s abysmal splits as a visitor (3-10-1, 3.88 goals-against average, .855 save percentage). They can’t do that when the playoffs arrive.
New York Rangers
Current odds: +5000
Odds Feb. 1: +6500
The Rangers aren’t a deep or battle-tested team, but they’re on an incredible roll. New York has compiled a 12-3 record since the All-Star break. The Blueshirts are now just two points out of a playoff spot, with two games in hand on the fading Blue Jackets.
Trying to score on Alexandar Georgiev pic.twitter.com/zmaBgqyc4s
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 14, 2020
No matter who the Rangers turn to in net (Alexandar Georgiev is currently the top dog, with Igor Shesterkin on the IL), they have gotten adequate performances night after night.
Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin are in the midst of career years. The former has amassed 22 points in his last 14 games, while the latter has added 17. New York’s decision to ship out defenseman Brady Skjei to Carolina at the deadline may hurt, but at these odds, the Blueshirts look like they will give bettors a run for their money.
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