Free NHL Hockey Picks: Philadelphia @ Ottawa
Added on Jan 03, 2010 by Jack Thurman in
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The Philadelphia Flyers are off a loss in the New Year’s Day ‘NHL Winter Classic’ at Fenway Park in Boston. The loss ended a four game road winning streak and now they’ll head to Scotiabank Place to face the Ottawa Senators. Ottawa is a solid home team (15-6-3 on the season) and ‘pick’em’ price on the game provides a good sports betting value opportunity.
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators
January 3, 10:05 AM Pacific
We’re not going to get too excited over the Flyers recent four game road winning streak. Only one of those home opponents (Tampa Bay) had a decent record on their own ice, with two (Carolina and the NY Rangers) having a losing record at home. Before this recent run of success, the Flyers were 3-13-1. They’ve improved on the defensive end of the ice since Peter Laviolette took over as coach, and have been getting good goaltending from Michael Leighton whom they claimed off waivers from Carolina on December 15. Leighton played well in the outdoor loss in Boston, but indications are that he’ll get a rest here and Brian Boucher will make his first start since December 21.
Part of our handicap here is that the Outdoor Classic wasn’t just another regular season game and not just because it was played outside. It had the atmosphere and anticipation of a major event which could result in something of a ‘letdown’ spot for the Flyers heading into this game. Or, as goaltender Leighton put it:
“You don’t realize how big of a deal it is until you’re actually here and see what it’s like.”
Ottawa last played on New Year’s Eve, and the Senators are 5-1 this year with 2 or more days rest. Since a slow start to the season, they’ve won 10 of their last 13 games at Scotiabank Place. Ottawa has won six of the last seven home games against the Flyers as well. Despite their recent winning streak we’re not sold on the Flyers, and particularly off of such a high profile game with ‘letdown’ potential. They’re playing a solid home team that has dominated the series of late on their own ice and at a ‘pick em’ price like the value with the Senators.
Bet Ottawa -110 over Philadelphia
