Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers Picks and Predictions November 7th 2024

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers November 7th 2024

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Flyers versus the Lightning? The puck drops at 7:30 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Lightning are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Flyers.

Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

After a 3-0 loss to the Bruins, the Flyers are now 4-8-1 this season. Philadelphia entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that number.

Defensively, the Flyers struggled, allowing goals in each period, including an empty-netter in the third. Offensively, they failed to score, managing only 20 shots on goal.

Philadelphia’s offense was held scoreless in their 3-0 loss to Boston, despite putting 20 shots on goal. The Flyers had 15 giveaways and ended the game with no goals for the first time this season.

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They were shut out in each period, marking the second time this season they’ve been blanked. Philadelphia also failed to convert on any of their power play opportunities.

Philadelphia’s defense gave up the first goal at 13:28 into the first period and another at 11:23 in the second. The Flyers’ defense also allowed an empty net goal late in the 3rd period, leading to a 3-0 loss. Goalie Samuel Ersson made 8 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the Flyers’ defense recorded 5 takeaways and 30 hits.

Tampa Bay’s record dropped to 7-6-0 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

The Lightning held a 2-0 lead early, but their defense couldn’t hold up, allowing four goals in the third period. Four different players scored for Tampa Bay in the game.

Tampa Bay’s offense took 30 shots on goal in their 7-4 loss to Winnipeg, finding the net four times. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point added his 8th on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee netted his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored his 10th, unassisted, in the third period.

The Lightning had 8 giveaways and recorded 4 assists. Jake Guentzel picked up his 8th assist of the season, and Nick Paul added his 7th. Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov each earned their 10th assist on Point’s power-play goal in the first period.

Defensively, the Lightning will look to bounce back after allowing seven goals to the Jets, including two empty-netters late in the third period. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves, posting a save percentage of 84.4%. Tampa Bay’s defense also contributed 6 takeaways and 16 hits but will aim to improve after giving up the go-ahead goal at 7:38 in the 3rd period.

If you’re looking for a straight moneyline bet, then the Lightning are the way to go. However, with a payout of -200, you might consider using this bet as a leg of a parlay.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Flyers to cover. Even in the event of a Lightning victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Flyers should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Lightning Return Home Seeking Consistency Against Flyers

The Tampa Bay Lightning hope to steady the ship as they open a three-game homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. After a rocky road trip that started strong and ended with three straight losses, Tampa Bay will look to get back in the win column in front of their home fans.

Tampa Bay’s Rough Road Trip

Tampa Bay’s recent four-game trip through the Central Division began on a high note with a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The victory featured a breakout performance from new addition Jake Guentzel, who notched his first multi-goal game as a Lightning. However, the trip took a downward turn with back-to-back losses in Minnesota and Winnipeg, followed by a tough 3-2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues.

Nikita Kucherov provided a silver lining, tallying two assists against the Blues, extending his point streak on the road to eight games. With top center Brayden Point listed as day-to-day after exiting the Winnipeg game early due to a lower-body injury, Kucherov’s offensive contributions are more vital than ever.

“He’s just a high elite player, so whenever you lose a player like that, the guys got to step up,” Guentzel said of Point’s absence. “Injuries are part of the game, so (we’ve) just got to move on, and next man up.”

Point’s injury prompted the Lightning to call up 23-year-old forward Gage Goncalves from AHL Syracuse, and he made his season debut against St. Louis. The lineup adjustments have been necessary as Tampa Bay looks to regain their early-season form.

Flyers Face Tough Loss, Aim to Rebound in Tampa Bay

Philadelphia’s own three-game road swing got off to a rough start with a heartbreaking 6-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Flyers managed to battle back to a 4-4 tie in the third period thanks to Travis Konecny’s second goal of the game. However, a last-minute breakdown led to Martin Necas scoring the game-winner with 31 seconds left, securing Carolina’s seventh consecutive victory.

Despite the loss, Konecny’s four-point effort (two goals, two assists) was a bright spot for Philadelphia. It was his second impressive outing of the season, adding to his five-point performance in a recent win over Minnesota.

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Philadelphia has struggled with goaltending consistency as their top netminder, Samuel Ersson, is out with a lower-body injury. In his absence, 22-year-old Aleksei Kolosov has been filling in, showcasing resilience and “personality,” as coach John Tortorella noted. Kolosov’s start against Carolina marked his second appearance this season, and while he allowed five goals on 34 shots, Tortorella praised the young goalie’s tenacity.

“He has some personality to his game,” Tortorella said. “Some fight. That’s what I have liked so far.”

Key Factors to Watch

1. Lightning’s Offensive Adjustments Without Point: Tampa Bay’s depth will be tested without Brayden Point, especially if he remains sidelined. Look for Guentzel and Kucherov to shoulder more of the offensive load.
2. Flyers’ Defensive Resilience: Philadelphia will need to tighten up defensively and limit costly mistakes if they hope to contain Tampa Bay’s potent attack. With Kolosov likely in net again, the Flyers’ defensive structure will be essential.
3. Special Teams: Both teams have been inconsistent on the penalty kill and power play. Tampa Bay will need a disciplined effort to avoid penalties and capitalize on power-play chances, especially with their top line in flux.

Final Thoughts

As both teams look to regain footing and improve their records, Thursday’s matchup will be a test of resilience and discipline. For Tampa Bay, home ice offers a chance to shake off their road woes, while Philadelphia will look to capitalize on any weaknesses to bounce back from a tough loss in Carolina.