Hurricanes vs Flyers NHL Playoffs Game 3 Picks
Hurricanes vs Flyers NHL Playoffs Game 3 Picks
The Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers are set for Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference semifinals playoff series on Thursday night.
The Hurricanes own a commanding 2-0 lead in the series thanks to a 3-0 win in Game 1 and a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 2. Carolina is now a perfect 6-0 in the postseason. The series now shifts to Philadelphia, which could provide a much-needed change of scenery for the Flyers.
In a contest that should feature the Flyers in desperation mode, puck drop is slated for 8:10 PM ET at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Hurricanes vs Flyers Game 3 Predictions
Pick #1: Carolina Hurricanes ML over Philadelphia Flyers (-165)
Pick #2: Over 5.5 (+120)
Pick #3: Nikolaj Ehlers anytime goalscorer (+240)
Pick #1: Hurricanes ML over Flyers (-165)
The Hurricanes have been an overwhelming force so far in this postseason. They made light work of a stingy Senators team in the first round, winning all four games and holding Ottawa to just five total goals. Now they own a 2-0 lead against the Flyers in the second round, and have held Philadelphia to just two total goals in nearly 140 minutes of action.
Consistent goal-scoring continues to be an issue for the Flyers, which is a recipe for disaster against this Hurricanes team. Since scoring 11 goals over their first three games against the Penguins in the first round, the Flyers have been held to two goals or fewer in five straight games. Their only win in that stretch came in a 1-0 overtime victory in 6 against Pittsburgh when Dan Vladar stopped all 42 shots he faced.
Along with playing a solid defensive-minded brand of hockey, the Hurricanes possess arguably the most well-rounded group of forwards in the NHL. Carolina’s scoring depth makes them a matchup nightmare on a nightly basis, while Philadelphia simply doesn’t have that same depth and consistency. Look for the Hurricanes to find the win column in this one and take a 3-0 lead over the Flyers.
Pick #2: Over 5.5 (+120)
As previously mentioned, the Hurricanes’ scoring depth makes them a team that can light the lamp ealry and often on any given night. Logan Stankoven is leading the way with six playoff goals already, but Taylor Hall, Sebastian Aho, and Jackson Blake have all potted multiple goals as well. The power play is operating at just a 12.0% rate, but it shouldn’t stay that way for long. Carolina’s power play ranked 4th in the NHL with a conversion rate of 24.9% during the regular season, and given their elite talent on both power play units, it’s only a matter of time before things start clicking.
While the Flyers have struggled mightily to score goals on a consistent basis over their last five games, I expect them to come out with a sense of urgency we haven’t seen from them so far in this postseason. Down 2-0, the series now shifts to Philadelphia, and the Flyers should come out firing in front of their home fans. Playing with a sense of desperation and looking to avoid a 3-0 hole, Philadelphia should be able to score just enough to take this one over the listed total of 5.5.
Pick #3: Nikolaj Ehlers anytime goalscorer (+240)
Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers was able to snap his scoreless postseason by putting forth a multi-point effort in Game 2 on Monday. The 30-year-old forward potted a goal and dished out an assist in Carolina’s 3-2 overtime victory. He had been quiet up to that point, but that performance could be the spark he needed to find a groove.
Ehlers has fired 12 shots on goal in five postseason games, and is seeing just under 20 minutes of ice time per game. He is also cemented on Carolina’s top power play unit, which should continue to give him plenty of scoring opportunities. Ehlers has seen plenty of postseason success in his career, and he scored five goals over eight playoff games with the Jets last season. After a slow start to his first postseason with Carolina, I expect Ehlers to find the back of the net in Thursday’s Game 2.
