The Maple Leafs saw their five-game winning streak snapped on Monday while the Flyers have been resting since their narrow 2-1 win over the Capitals on Saturday. Let’s see which of these teams is the sharp side as we look to keep cashing our NHL picks on Wednesday night!
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 – 07:30 PM EST at Wells Fargo Center
After skating to an impressive 5-2 win over the Bruins on Saturday and notching their fifth consecutive victory, the Leafs hit a speed bump on Monday when they were crowned, 5-1, by the similarly streaking LA Kings.
Los Angeles dominated from the opening faceoff, leading 2-0 after one period before John Tavares notched his seventh goal of the season, early in the second period, on a power-play situation. But after that, it was all LA as they took advantage of an off night for Toronto goalie, Jack Campbell, who faced his former team for the first time.
“Everybody in the building knows that wasn’t my best,” Campbell said. “It cost us two points.”
“I love it there, I love the boys, love what they did for me in L.A.,” he added. “Credit them for getting me to where I am today. Just disappointed I didn’t bring more to our team.”
The Maple Leafs outshot the Kings, 34-29, but LA’s Jonathan Quick was on his game while Campbell could have used a breather in this one after playing in seven of Toronto’s last eight games. It should be noted that veteran Petr Mrazek, signed in the offseason to a three-year, $11.4 million deal to share chores with Campbell tending the twine this season, has been placed on injured reserve with a nagging groin injury, his second thus far of the young season.
Philadelphia had won three of four before dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to the Penguins last Thursday. However, they rebounded nicely with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Capitals on Saturday and have had four days to rest and relax in preparation for their showdown with Toronto on Wednesday night.
It was a battle of the goalies last Saturday night in DC as Philadelphia’s Martin Jones turned aside 31 of 32 shots while Washington’s Vitek Vanecek stopped 30 of 32 in the Flyers 2-1 win. Derick Brassard and Sean Couturier both tallied in the first period while Jones had his shutout bid broken early in the third period by the Capitals’ Brett Leason.
Jones has played extremely well in his three games as Carter Hart’s backup, registering a 1.67 GAA and a .950 save percentage. But it is highly unlikely we will see him patrolling the crease on Wednesday night, as Hart will be back in net after starting in five of six contests before Saturday’s respite.
The early NHL odds on this matchup are only available at a few spots at the time of this writing but indicators are that Toronto will be a slight favorite in this one which gives us even more reason to back the Flyers.
Naturally, Philadelphia will be rearing to go after getting several days off to lick their wounds and prepare for this meeting with Toronto. They don’t even have to hop a plane as the venue favors them as well because not only are they 3-1-1 at home but the Maple Leafs are 1-3-1 on the road.
Moreover, the Leafs could be forced to press one of their unproven callups, 23-year-old goalie Joseph Woll, into action. Mrazek will be out for several weeks and Jack Campbell won’t be playing in every single game without a break. After the way he played against the Kings on Monday it would appear he is due for a breather.
If that’s the case, score one big advantage in net for the Flyers as Woll exits Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Marlies, with a 2-1 record, a 3.38 GAA, and an .895 save percentage. In addition, the Leafs aren’t exactly a house on fire offensively, averaging 2.54 goals per game, and against a stout defensive team like Philadelphia, goals will be few and far between.
Let’s back the home team in this one and cash a ticket!
NHL Pick: Flyers +122 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.