NHL Free Picks - Iles @ Flyers

The Islanders, once a surprise playoff threat in the Eastern Conference, have fallen off the face of the postseason earth, losing 11 of their last 14.

Only Toronto and Edmonton have worse point totals than the Isle. The Flyers on the other hand, once the most disappointing team in the East, have salvaged their season with a 21-15-3 run since replacing head coaches, with Peter Laviolette replacing John Stevens on December 3rd. History is not on the side of the New York Islanders.

New York has lost 14 straight games to Philadelphia, their last win over the Flyers coming in February of 2008. In the 14-game span, Philly has outscored New York 48-23.  

New York Islanders @ Philadelphia Flyers
Tuesday, March 9th – 7:30 PM EST
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: VS
NHL Betting Line: Flyers -270
 
What The Islanders Have To Do To Win:

What made the Islanders a surprise early in the season was their ability to get scoring from their young talent. Youngsters like John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey were integral parts to New York’s early season success. There was concern that sort of production wouldn’t last, and those fears have been realized at this juncture of the season. Bailey has only five points in his last 12 games. Okposo has eight points in his last 16 games, and is a -11 in that span. Tavares, once thought a lock for Rookie of the Year, hit the wall hard and hasn’t scored since January 16th, a span of 17 games. In his last 33 games, Tavares only 35 points this season, but only eight of those points have come in the last 33 games. The Islanders don’t have a realistic chance of making the playoffs, but with stadium and relocation worries hovering over them, they want to finish the season on a high note. Bailey, Okposo and Tavares will have to start delivering for that to happen.  

What The Flyers Have To Do To Win:

The crutch that held back Philadelphia at the beginning of the season was inconsistent goaltending and the lack of production from star players, most notably centre Jeff Carter. Those concerns are no longer, and it’s the main reason why the Flyers sit comfortably in sixth in the Eastern Conference. Carter went on a stretch at the end of 2009 where he recorded only eight points in 20 games. In 2010, he’s averaging nearly a point a game, with 24 points in 25 contests. Goaltender Michael Leighton, picked up from waivers, has been a revelation in Philly. He’s got a 14-3-2 record while wearing the orange and black, and has anchored a position that was once occupied by the oft-injured Ray Emery. As long as those two keep up their pace, the Flyers will continue to roll.  

Outlook & Pick

There are no stats in the known hockey universe that would favour New York over Philadelphia in this game. The Flyers have better scoring, better goaltending and a better defense. They’re playing at home. Philadelphia has played brilliantly over the past couple of months, while New York has played themselves out of the postseason. It’s not even worth mentioning that New York hasn’t beaten the Islanders in 14 straight games; but I will anyway.  

NHL Betting Pick: Flyers -270