NHL Betting Preview (Oct. 23): Flyers at Capitals Odds

After a commanding 4-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Washington Capitals go into Wednesday's second leg as -140 favorites.

Flyers vs. Capitals odds

• Washington Capitals money line: -140
• Philadelphia Flyers money line: +120
• Puck Line: Flyers +1.5 (-210), Capitals +1.5 (+170)
• Total game: 6 (over -105, under -115)

Odds on Sports Interaction.

Matchup

Last season, the Philadelphia Flyers surprised many with their strong start and playoff push, but this year they are the worst team in the Eastern Conference – let alone the Metropolitan Division – after losing five straight games.

The Capitals, on the other hand, are off to a 4-1 start and look far more complete than the team that entered the playoffs last season with the worst goal difference of any team in the salary cap era.

According to Evolving Hockey, the Capitals owned 65 percent of shots and 62 percent of expected goals in five-on-five play in Tuesday's win. Washington is 10-6-1 against Philadelphia since the start of the 2020-21 season, including three straight wins.

Best bets for Capitals vs. Flyers

Over 6 goals (-105) at Sports Interaction

Charlie Lindgren continued his dominance over the Flyers on Tuesday, improving his record to 4-0-2 in six career games against Philadelphia. However, Logan Thompson will start on Wednesday. Thompson won both of his first two starts as a member of the Capitals, but he allowed five goals in his last game.

On the other hand, Flyers starter Samuel Ersson is off to his worst start of the season, so backup Ivan Fedotov will almost certainly make his sixth career start in the second half of the season. Fedotov has pedigree, but he has allowed 20 goals on 108 shots since joining the team late last season, including five goals allowed in his two starts this season.

The total number of games is lower because the Flyers are a low-event team that ranks in the bottom ten in expected goals against and Washington has been one of the best defensive teams to date. Additionally, Washington was just 36-40-6 to the over last season, while Philadelphia was just 35-43-5 to the over.

However, Philadelphia is 4-0-1 with Fedotov in goal, having averaged 8.8 goals scored in those games, and Washington ranks sixth in offense so far this season, despite just one goal from Alex Ovechkin. This is also the first time the Capitals have been in a back-to-back situation, and the last time the Flyers played in a back-to-back game, multiple goals were scored. Let's hope that's the case on Wednesday.