Sharks vs. Flyers Picks, Predictions: Philly's Bubble to Burst?
Two teams off to very different starts square off on Sunday night when the struggling San Jose Sharks visit the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia to take on the surprising Flyers. Read on for our Sharks-Flyers picks.
Off to a hot 4-1 start under new head coach John Tortorella, the Flyers are riding the coattails of goaltender Carter Hart, who has been doing his best brick-wall impression between the pipes. Powered by Hart’s 31 saves, the Flyers head into Sunday’s showdown with the Sharks fresh off a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Joel Farabee notched a goal and two assists and Kevin Hayes added two points in the win.
Conversely, the Sharks have fallen flat out of the gate, posting a putrid 1-6 record, including a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon. Kevin Labanc scored the Sharks’ lone goal, and netminder Kaapo Kahkonen made 34 saves in a losing cause.
Can the Flyers continue to defy expectations, or will the Sharks break out of their funk?
Here are our Sharks-Flyers picks and predictions (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5 star scale).
Sharks vs. Flyers Game Info
Date: Sunday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m. ET
TV: NBCS-PH, NBCS-CA
Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
Sharks vs. Flyers Odds
Sharks vs. Flyers Odds Analysis
Getting better results thus far, the Flyers are a slight favorite with virtually every sportsbook (-140ish) and 64% of cash is coming in their favor. For those who believe Philadelphia’s solid start is a mirage, the Sharks can be snatched up at +120 over with DraftKings Sportsbook.
The goal total has been set at six, with the Over paying out at -106, while the Under carries -115 odds. The lion’s share of the cash (95%) is backing the Under.
Sharks vs. Flyers Picks
- Sharks (+120 via DraftKings) ★★★
- Under 6 (-115 via FanDuel) ★★★★
- Travis Konecny Over 2.5 shots (-170 via DraftKings) ★★★★
Sharks vs. Flyers ML Pick
Sharks (+120)
This is honestly a hard game to predict. The Sharks probably aren’t quite as putrid as their 1-6 record suggests, while the Flyers’ lackluster underlying numbers are a harbinger for upcoming disaster. Philadelphia sits dead last in Corsi For percentage and is a bottom-five team in expected goals for percentage. Philly's been propped up by excellent goaltending from Hart, but he isn’t likely to get the start after playing in Saturday’s game against the Predators.
Although nothing to write home about, the Sharks’ underlying numbers are slightly better, and Felix Sandsrom will likely be between the pipes for Philadelphia. In his lone start this season, Sandstrom allowed four goals on 36 shots in the Flyers' only loss of the campaign.
Neither team fills me with much confidence, but without Hart, I expect the Sharks to just sneak by.
Sharks vs. Flyers O/U Pick
Under 6 (-115)
There’s been a bit of a power outage in San Jose. The Sharks need a map to find the back of the net, mustering a mere 1.83 goals per game. They’ve topped two goals just once in seven games and combined with their opponents to score six or less goals five times during that stretch.
The Flyers, for their part, are averaging 3.5 goals per game, but have combined with their opponents to light the lamp six-plus times just twice in five games.
Even without Hart between the pipes, I don’t anticipate a red-light party.
Sharks vs. Flyers Prop Pick
Konecny Over 2.5 shots (-170)
On a team completely bereft of elite offensive talent, someone has to log the big minutes and play on the power play, and that someone is Travis Konecny. And he’s filling that role quite admirably, racking up four goals and six points in five games. He’s also putting rubber on net with 19 shots, which is an average of 3.8 shots per game.
This is where I see some value. Konecny has only dipped under the three-shot plateau once this season, and he’s amassed three-plus shots in three straight games. Against a Sharks team surrendering a terrifyingly high 35.5 shots per game, Konecny should have plenty of opportunities to open up a shooting gallery.
Where to Bet on Sharks vs. Flyers Picks
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Sharks-Flyers picks made 10/23/2022 at 9:02 a.m. ET
