1. Game Overview:
Two Metropolitan Division rivals on identical five-game losing streaks will battle for a much-needed victory as the New York Rangers visit the Philadelphia Flyers. One of these slumps will end in what promises to be a tense matinee affair. The puck drops at 1:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 17, from Xfinity Mobile Arena. The game will be broadcast on MSG and is available for streaming on Fubo.
2. Team Form and Analysis:
New York Rangers: The Rangers are in a full-blown tailspin, having dropped five consecutive games. The primary culprit has been a complete defensive collapse, with the club surrendering an alarming 30 goals over that five-game span. This porousness has negated any offensive contributions and has sent the team plummeting down the standings. While the season-long metrics are poor, the Rangers have been a perplexing squad, performing far better on the road than at Madison Square Garden. They will need to rediscover their defensive structure and get a stable performance in net if they hope to end their freefall in a hostile environment.
Philadelphia Flyers: Like their rivals, the Flyers enter this contest having lost five straight, a skid that has pushed them out of a playoff position. After a promising start to the season built on structure and work ethic, Philadelphia has struggled to generate consistent results. The team has been competitive in most games, but an inability to close out contests or find the key goal has been their undoing during this slump. Playing at home has been a relative strength this season, and they will look to leverage that advantage against a Rangers team that is equally desperate to right the ship.
3. Injury Report:
New York Rangers:
- Carson Soucy (D) is out until at least January 19 for personal reasons.
- Chris Kreider (LW) is listed as day-to-day with an illness.
Philadelphia Flyers:
- Dan Vladar (G) is out until at least January 19 with an undisclosed issue.
- Rasmus Ristolainen (D) is considered day-to-day with an upper-body ailment.
4. Standings & Trends Analysis:
New York Rangers (20-22-6):The Rangers’ sub-.500 overall record is defined by one of the most drastic home/away splits in the league. They are a dreadful 5-13 at home but transform into a formidable opponent on the road with a 15-9 record. This trend holds true against the puck line, where they are a league-worst 6-16 at home but a highly profitable 17-9 away from MSG. Their Over/Under record is 20-28 overall, with road games splitting perfectly at 13-13.
Philadelphia Flyers (22-16-8):The Flyers boast a winning record and have been one of the league’s best bets against the spread, posting an impressive 28-18 puck line record. They have been solid on home ice with a 12-7 straight-up record and a 13-11 puck line mark at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Their games have trended towards higher-scoring affairs, with a 27-19 Over/Under record for the season, including a 13-11 mark at home.
5. Betting Odds Analysis:
- Moneyline: Flyers -140 / Rangers +116
- Puck Line: Flyers -1.5 (+172) / Rangers +1.5 (-215)
- Total: 6.5 (Over -105 / Under -115)
The moneyline establishes Philadelphia as a moderate home favorite, implying a win probability of roughly 58%. However, the puck line tells a more nuanced story. The heavy -215 juice on the Rangers to cover +1.5 indicates that the market anticipates a very close, likely one-goal game, despite the Flyers being favored to win. The total is set high at 6.5, a clear reaction to the Rangers’ recent defensive struggles, though the slight juice on the under suggests some skepticism about a full-blown shootout.
6. Prediction & Betting Angle:
Final Score Prediction: Rangers 4, Flyers 3
In a matchup between two teams desperate to halt five-game losing streaks, the value lies with the road underdog. While the Flyers are deservedly favored based on their solid 12-7 home record, laying -140 on a team that hasn’t won in weeks is a risky proposition. The defining factor in this analysis is the Rangers’ bizarre and dramatic home/road performance. Their 15-9 straight-up record as the visiting team is not a fluke; it’s a large sample size that demonstrates a consistent ability to win away from home.
The market correctly anticipates a tight contest, as evidenced by the -215 price on Rangers +1.5. But rather than pay that heavy juice on the puck line, the superior angle is to take the plus-money odds on a team that has won 62.5% of its road games this season. Both teams are struggling, but only one is being offered at a value price despite possessing a superior record in this specific scenario (road team vs. home team).
The Pick: New York Rangers Moneyline (+116)
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Rangers hockey Head To Head …
Philadelphia Flyers vs New York Rangers History
Flyers–Rangers rivalry – Wikipedia
New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers: Head-to-Head Reg …
Rangers Record Vs Flyers Last 10 Games | StatMuse
Five Things: Flyers vs. Capitals | Philadelphia Flyers
Oral history of the Flyers’ historic shootout win in 2010
NHL On Tap: Panarin, Bedard go head-to-head when Rangers visit …
Flyers win under new head coach
Flyers part ways with head coach John Tortorella, Brad Shaw …