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With time is running out for the NHL regular season, the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Rangers host the wild-card-hopeful Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.
The Flyers are in a tough spot. While they are only two points out of the second wild-card in the Eastern Conference, they have played one more game than the three teams in front of them.
Tampa Bay has secured the first wild card in the East, leaving Washington (85 points), Pittsburgh (84) and Detroit (84) vying with Philadelphia for the final spot. The Flyers, however, have just three games remaining in the regular season, compared to four for the other three.
Philadelphia can only hope its regular-season matchup with the Capitals still has meaning when the teams drop the puck next Tuesday.
Getting points against the Rangers Thursday night at Madison Square Garden would be a good start.
Rangers vs. Flyers odds
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flyers | +1.5 (+145) | +170 | o6 (-120) |
| Rangers | -1.5 (+120) | -210 | u6 (+100) |
Rangers vs. Flyers prediction
Meanwhile, the Rangers have been consistent playoff contenders for years but haven’t gone the distance to win a Stanley Cup. They currently sit as the No. 1 seed in the East, three points up on Carolina and Baston.
Artemi Panarin is having a career season with 46 goals. In fact, he’s averaging a goal in more than 58 percent of the Rangers’ 79 games played.
However, he has been oddly silent against the Flyers this season. In three matchups, Panarin has recorded three assists but no goals.
But going back to March 30, Panarin has scored a goal in every other game like clockwork (three goals in six games).
With a win, the Flyers could potentially could move into a tie with the Capitals for the second wild-card spot. Washington plays at Buffalo Thursday night.
While I like the Rangers more as a squad, there could be some complacency with their playoff spot already secured.
Plus, their recent slow starts should give bettors pause.
Flyers vs. Rangers pick
If you rule out picking a moneyline based on the uncertainty, I think we can still find some value out of the player prop market.
I think Panarin has a shot at finally cashing in against the Flyers, and his recent streak of a goal every other game puts him in line to score again on Thursday night (he was held scoreless against the Islanders on Tuesday).
With a dry spell in three games against the Flyers, Panarin is due for some positive regression Thursday night, and him as an anytime scorer is a decent plus-money bet.
