The Philadelphia Flyers (0-0-0) open their season on the road against the Florida Panthers (1-0-0) Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Flyers vs. Panthers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Panthers won 2-1 last season
Philadelphia finished in the basement of the Metropolitan Division last season with a 33-39-10 record, including 13-19-9 on the road. The Flyers had a -48 goal differential, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year and ninth time in the last 13 years.
Florida opened its season with a 3-2 home win over the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday as a -269 favorite as the Under (6) hit. RW Mackie Samoskevich had 2 assists for the fifth 2-point game of his career, and the Panthers scored a go-ahead goal with just 10 minutes remaining in the third period. The team showed a dominant attack, outshooting the Blackhawks 37-19 in the win.
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Flyers at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:51 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Flyers +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Panthers -200 (bet $200 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Flyers +1.5 (-145) | Panthers -1.5 (+120)Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Flyers at Panthers projected goalies
Samuel Ersson (22-17-5, 3.14 GAA, .883 SV%, 2 SO in 2024-25) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (1-0-0, 2.00 GAA, .895 SV%)
Ersson took a step back in his third season, posting a lower win total and SV% than the year prior, along with a higher GAA. He ranked 45th or worse in both GAA and SV% on a Flyers team that will need him to improve this year to have a better season.
Bobrovsky earned the win in the Panthers’ first game of the season, allowing 2 goals on 19 shots against the Blackhawks. His .895 SV% was below his career average of .914, but the Panthers effectively contained Chicago’s offense, limiting its overall shot total.
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Flyers at Panthers picks and predictionsPrediction
Panthers 4, Flyers 2
PASS.
There is minimal value on the Panthers (-200) to handle the Flyers at home Thursday.
LEAN PANTHERS -1.5 (+120).
The Panthers showcased their offensive prowess in their season opener despite being without C Aleksander Barkov and LW Matthew Tkachuk, who are both sidelined for extended periods due to injury. They face a Flyers team that has struggled year after year and has yet to prove itself this season. With Bobrovsky in net against Ersson on the other side, the Panthers’ puck line offers great value.
BET OVER 5.5 (-120).
Despite the Panthers hitting the Under in their first game, expect their offense to find its rhythm and identity without their top stars. Ersson allowed 3.14 goals per game last season and is coming off a career-low year. With the Panthers already having a game under their belt, the team has a great opportunity to capitalize against a Flyers defense that faced an uphill battle last season.
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