Two teams that’ve positioned themselves squarely in the playoff hunt, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals meet at Capital One Arena. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 4, and you’ll be able to witness this divisional matchup live on NBC Sports Network.

Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Odds

Philadelphia (+135) is currently the underdog to Washington (-155), and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.

Washington is 40-25 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.1 units this year. That winning percentage, the league’s third-best so far in the early season, is fairly close to what the team posted during the 2018-19 season (48-34). Among its 65 games this season, 40 have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 18-14 SU at home this year.

The Capitals have converted on 20.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all penalties.

As a team, the Capitals have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five games. The team has had to kill penalties for 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.

Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .898 save percentage, Braden Holtby (25-20-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for Washington this year. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to rest him, however, Washington could turn to Ilya Samsonov (16-9-9 record, .917 save percentage, 2.40 goals against average).

John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin will each be focal points for the Capitals. Carlson (73 points) has tallied 15 goals and 58 assists and has recorded multiple points in 23 different games this year. Ovechkin has 45 goals and 18 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 36 games.

Philadelphia has earned 10.4 units for moneyline bettors this season and is currently 38-27 straight up (SU). A total of 35 of its matches have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As an away team, the Flyers are 15-18 SU.

The Flyers have converted on 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of all penalties.

Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 4.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Carter Hart (2.51 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Hart is averaging 22.8 saves per game and owns a 22-18-3 record.

For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated by Travis Konecny (23 goals, 37 assists) and Sean Couturier (21 goals, 37 assists).

Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals Betting Predictions

Pick: SU Winner – Flyers, O/U – Over

Notes

Betting Notes

Washington is 4-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Philadelphia is 5-5 in shootouts.

For both of these teams, the total has gone over in three of their last five matches.

Nine of Philadelphia’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 7-2 in those games.

The Caps this season have tallied the seventh-most hits per game in the NHL (24.9), but that number has climbed to 29.4 over their past five home outings.