by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Where to watch: TVAS, SNW, SNP, NBC Sports Philadelphia
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Jets -190, Flyers +160
BetMGM: Jets -190, Flyers +155
Caesars: Jets -189, Flyers +160
Season record
Flyers: 25-44-11
Jets: 36-32-11
Ben Burns has reeled off a strong 24-13-0 run over the last month in the NHL. The last week of the NHL season is here before we get cracking to playoff coverage. Who's going to clinch the last two wild-card spots in the West? Who's going to go into the postseason with all the momentum from the Eastern Conference? We can't wait to find out, and we know you can't wait to get going, either, with our tremendous expert picks. Catch Ben's plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Flyers - Jets preview and analysis
It’s been a disappointing season for both the Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets, arguably more for the Jets considering they were actually expected to make the playoffs out of the two, but it’s certainly a lackluster season for both.
When the teams face each other on Wednesday, I’m thinking the Jets are more ahead of the curve going into this matchup in the last week of the regular season and I like them in this game against the Flyers in Winnipeg on Wednesday.
The Jets are coming off a 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday in what was Connor Hellebucyk’s 200th win in the NHL. The former Vezina Trophy winner hasn’t had the greatest season this year, but the milestone is a reminder of just how good he’s been over the years.
It helped that Winnipeg scored four in the third to offset the 1-0 lead for Colorado and get the win.
"It just shows that the fans appreciate everything I've accomplished here with them," Hellebuyck said of the standing ovation he received after the game. "I'm glad to call Winnipeg my home these past few years and look forward to some more."
Kyle Connor chipped in his 45th goal of the season, reminding folks that they might be the most under-appreciated goal scorer in the league. It’s a damn shame he hasn’t gotten any help on his forward group this year.
"[Connor has] just an elite shot," Hellebuyck said. "It's tricky, tricky to read, and any time you can be tricky like that, you're dangerous any time you get a shot. He's good at a ton of shots and he knows it. He knows at any second he can score. When you have a player like that, guys have to respect him, and it opens up some eyes."
The Jets are in a weird position heading into next year. They have to figure out if this core is what can carry them over the hump. Outside of Connor, there’s the future free agency of Pierre-Luc Dubois and if there’s enough top-end talent to make them a threat once again. After trading Andrew Copp, the options are limited. Cole Perfetti is an option, but we’ll see how he develops.
The Flyers are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, which if you actually watched this entire game – because it was the only one on the ledger on this day – then you either love hockey very much or have a death wish because that’s the last game anyone would ever want to see.
Kevin Hayes scored the lone goal, and Felix Sandstrom made 30 saves.
"We just didn't play well enough," Philadelphia coach Mike Yeo said. "That's what it comes down to. There's parts of our game where we were doing OK, but we weren't good enough with the puck tonight against a team that transitions really well."
As per usual, tell us what you really think Mike. Other than the obvious.
Prediction
The home team will go forth with its star goalie back in the net and dominate the lowly Flyers. Jets win 3-1
Betting trends
Flyers are 2-13 this season when playing third game in four days.
Flyers are 4-16 this season after playing a game where four or fewer goals were scored.
Jets are 17-8 this season following a division game.
Jets are 10-21 in non-conference games this season.
Projected lineup
Flyers:
Scott Laughton -- Kevin Hayes -- Travis Konecny
James van Riemsdyk -- Joel Farabee -- Bobby Brink
Noah Cates -- Morgan Frost -- Owen Tippett
Oskar Lindblom -- Nate Thompson -- Zack MacEwen
Ivan Provorov -- Ronnie Attard
Linus Hogberg -- Travis Sanheim
Keith Yandle -- Egor Zamula
Martin Jones
Scott Laughton -- Kevin Hayes -- Travis Konecny
James van Riemsdyk -- Joel Farabee -- Bobby Brink
Noah Cates -- Morgan Frost -- Owen Tippett
Oskar Lindblom -- Nate Thompson -- Zack MacEwen
Ivan Provorov -- Ronnie Attard
Linus Hogberg -- Travis Sanheim
Keith Yandle -- Egor Zamula
Martin Jones
Jets:
Nikolaj Ehlers -- Paul Stastny -- Blake Wheeler
Kyle Connor -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Jansen Harkins
Morgan Barron -- Adam Lowry -- Mason Appleton
Adam Brooks -- Dominic Toninato -- Evgeny Svechnikov
Josh Morrissey -- Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg -- Brenden Dillon
Logan Stanley -- Neal Pionk
Connor Hellebuyck
Nikolaj Ehlers -- Paul Stastny -- Blake Wheeler
Kyle Connor -- Pierre-Luc Dubois -- Jansen Harkins
Morgan Barron -- Adam Lowry -- Mason Appleton
Adam Brooks -- Dominic Toninato -- Evgeny Svechnikov
Josh Morrissey -- Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg -- Brenden Dillon
Logan Stanley -- Neal Pionk
Connor Hellebuyck
Statistical leaders
Flyers:
Points: Travis Konecny -- 52
Goals: Cam Atkinson -- 23
Assists: Travis Konecny -- 36
Goalie: Carter Hart -- 13-24-7, 3.16 GAA, .905 SV%
Jets:
Points: Kyle Connor -- 89
Goals: Kyle Connor -- 45
Assists: Kyle Connor -- 44
Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck -- 28-27-10, 3.00 GAA, .910 SV%
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
