Philadelphia Flyers vs Vancouver Canucks Betting Picks

Philadelphia has won four of the past five meetings, including 5-2 on Dec. 22 in the first one this season. The Flyers had won two straight before losing 4-1 to Seattle, which included two empty-net goals by the Kraken on Sunday. Samuel Ersson is likely to start tonight, and he is 6-4-4 with a 2.96 goals-against average for the Flyers. Thatcher Demko is confirmed for Vancouver, which has lost two of three, although it did beat Seattle 3-2 in a shootout on Monday night. The Canucks are #30 in goals-against per game (3.42), and Philadelphia is #9 in goals-against (2.79). The Flyers have won their past five Tuesday games, and they are 6-1 after scoring two or fewer goals in their previous game. The Canucks are 0-6 in the third game of a 3-in-4 situation, and they have lost eight of nine home games. Vancouver has lost six straight home games versus teams with losing road records. Take the Flyers. 

Vancouver goes for its fifth win in a row - all on the road - after its 5-4 victory in a shootout against Boston on Saturday. Liam Ohgren scored in the third period and had the lone goal in the seventh shootout round. Kevin Lankinen stopped 38 shots through overtime for the Canucks. Philadelphia has lost five of six and five of six against teams with winning road records. Thatcher Demko is likely back in the net for Vancouver tonight, and he is 8-5-0 with a 2.34 goals-against average. Samuel Ersson allowed four goals on 27 shots in the Flyers' 5-4 shootout loss to the Rangers. He could get the start as Dan Vladar is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Philadelphia has lost eight of 12 home games and five of seven versus the Pacific Division. Take the Canucks on the puckline.

Philadelphia looks similar to last season and that's a concern with many holes. The offense mustered a lot of shots on net but finished 25th in scoring with the second-worst shooting percentage (8.5%), plus last on the power play. The defense ranked 18th in goals allowed and 29th in save percentage (.889). Vancouver won its division and was 27-9-5 at home. The offense was sixth in goals scored with the second-best shooting percentage (12%), while the defense was sixth in goals given up and eighth in save percentage. They have improved the speed and depth overall, including adding Jake DeBrusk from Boston, looking lke one of the top teams in the West. Play Vancouver.