Philadelphia Flyers (13-10-2) vs. Colorado Avalanche (16-7-2)
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Colorado Avalanche 12/9/23 – The Philadelphia Flyers (13-10-2) take on the Colorado Avalanche (16-7-2) on Saturday night in a non-conference showdown between teams trending in opposite directions. The Flyers have won four of their last five games, while the Avalanche have dropped two straight. Fans and bettors alike are keenly looking for free NHL parlay picks as these two teams prepare to battle at the Ball Arena.
The Philadelphia Flyers have shown remarkable resilience and skill on offense this season, led by Right Wing Travis Konecny with 12 goals and 7 assists from 25 games at 15.8% shooting percentage and consistent play on ice he is an invaluable weapon against Avalanche defense. Center Sean Couturier with 17 points (6 goals/11 assists) also played an essential role in their win over Colorado as his ability to navigate ice quickly while creating scoring chances was key. Their offense, however, must now break through Avalanche defence which has shown some vulnerable spots especially on road games.
Conversely, Colorado Avalanche boast an effective offensive roster. Cale Makar, a star defenseman with 7 goals and 27 assists, boasts 34 points from 7 goals and 27 assists to become an excellent threat on defense. Meanwhile, Nathan MacKinnon matches Makar’s point total with 9 goals and 25 assists to offer even greater speed and skill penetration into opposing defenses. These features combined together present serious challenge to Philadelphia Flyers defensive strategies.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Colorado Avalanche Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Carter Hart vs. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev
Carter Hart has rebounded nicely after a tough 2021-22 campaign. Through 15 starts, Hart has posted a respectable 2.55 goals against average along with a .913 save percentage for the Flyers. His play in net has been key to Philadelphia’s improved play after early season struggles. Hart is an athletic goalie capable of making acrobatic saves and he has shown mental toughness in quickly putting games where he struggles behind him. However, he hasn’t seen an offense quite as explosive as Colorado yet this year.
Alexandar Georgiev was brought in to bring stability in goal after the Avalanche ran through Darcy Kuemper and Pavel Francouz last season. While his .902 save percentage is underwhelming so far, Georgiev has given Colorado a chance to win most nights with a 2.86 GAA. At his best, he plays a sound positional game and limits second chance opportunities. If Georgiev can avoid allowing bad-angle goals Saturday night, he should give this talented Avalanche group enough saves to come away victorious. However, he can be prone to giving up untimely tallies which could prove costly against a plucky Flyers team.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The current betting odds for the game are yet to be determined, but given the teams’ performances and standings, it’s expected to be a closely contested match. Bettors should keep a keen eye on the puckline and moneyline as they are announced, considering both teams’ recent forms and head-to-head statistics.
Philadelphia Flyers Betting Trends
The Flyers have been solid against the spread recently, covering five straight contests. They are also profitable on the road against the number, sporting a 10-2 record away from home. After a stretch of UNDERs, Philadelphia’s scoring seems to be picking up.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends
Colorado has split it’s last five games and also sits at .500 ATS over that stretch. Surprisingly, the Avalanche have struggled to cover at Ball Arena, going just 5-9 at home. However, six of their last 11 contests have finished OVER the total in Denver.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Colorado Avalanche 12/9/23 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and recent performances, this game is poised to be a tightly contested battle. The Flyers’ strong performance against the spread and recent form make them an attractive pick, especially with Hart’s goaltending prowess. However, the Avalanche’s offensive strength, led by Makar and MacKinnon, cannot be underestimated.
In terms of picks, the safer bet might be on the Flyers, considering their recent trend of outperforming expectations. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially on Flyers’ Konecny and Avalanche’s MacKinnon, could offer value. The over/under will be critical, given the Avalanche’s tendency for high-scoring home games. Ultimately, bettors should consider the nuances of each team’s playstyle and recent trends on this multi-handicapper website.
Free Pick and Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers 3, Colorado Avalanche 2