San Jose Sharks vs Philadelphia Flyers December 31st 2024

Looking to win big? The Flyers and Sharks face off at 8:00 ET on NBCS. The Sharks are hosting the game at SAP Center in San Jose, CA. The Flyers are the -1.5 goal favorites in this non-conference matchup against Sharks. The over/under for the game is set at 6 goals.

Philadelphia vs. San Jose Key Information

Teams: Flyers at Sharks
Where: SAP Center San Jose
Date: Tuesday, December 31st
Betting Odds PHI -172 | SJ +144 O/U 6

The Flyers Can Win If…

With a 3-0 loss to the Bruins, the Flyers fell to 16-17-4 this season. Philadelphia was the underdog on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

All three of Boston’s goals came from different players, with the Flyers’ defense allowing the first goal at 6:32 in the first period. Philadelphia’s offense struggled, managing just 20 shots on goal and failing to find the net.

Philadelphia’s offense was held scoreless in their 3-0 loss to Boston. The Flyers managed 20 shots on goal but couldn’t find the back of the net. They recorded 15 giveaways in the game.

Philadelphia was shut out across all three periods, including a third period in which they were down 2-0. The Flyers didn’t score on any of their power play opportunities.

Philadelphia’s defense gave up the first goal at 13:28 in the first period and another at 11:23 in the second. The Bruins added an empty netter at 16:21 in the third, leading to a 3-0 loss for the Flyers. Goalie Samuel Ersson made 8 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the defense recorded 5 takeaways and 30 hits.

Philadelphia has put together a record of 1-2 in their last three games (regular season). They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 2-1.
The Flyers have gone 4-6 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 4-6, in addition to an over-under mark of 6-3-1.

The Sharks Can Win If…

The Sharks fell to 11-22-6 after a 3-2 loss to the Canucks. San Jose held a 2-1 lead in the third period, but Vancouver scored twice to hand the Sharks another defeat.

San Jose was the underdog on the puck line, and the total for the game was set at 6.5 goals. The combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.

The Sharks took 23 shots on goal in their 3-2 loss to Vancouver, but only two found the net. Nico Sturm opened the scoring with his second goal of the season, while Mikael Granlund added his sixth goal, tying the game 2-2 with just 1:17 left in the third period.

San Jose recorded 16 giveaways and was held scoreless in the first period. They got on the board with 2:37 gone in the second period, and Granlund’s goal came with 18:43 elapsed in the third.

San Jose’s defense gave up the first goal at 5:19 in the second period, and after the Sharks tied it at 2-2, they allowed the game-winner with just 26 seconds left in the third. Mackenzie Blackwood made 25 saves with a save percentage of 89.3%. The Sharks’ defense also recorded 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

Through their last three regular season contests, San Jose has a record of 0-3. Their record vs the puck line sits at 1-2 in these matchups, while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
The Sharks have gone 1-9 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 6-4, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Sharks to defeat the Flyers while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at +144, I’m placing a wager on the Sharks to win outright.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sharks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sharks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Sharks Look to Break Losing Streak Against Flyers

The San Jose Sharks are back on the ice Tuesday night, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in a game that both teams desperately need to win. For the Sharks, it’s all about ending their seven-game skid. For the Flyers, it’s about tightening up defensively and finding some consistency.

Sharks Need a Fresh Start

Let’s face it—the Sharks (7-26-3) have had a rough season. After a nine-game losing streak to start the year, they’ve now dropped seven straight. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky isn’t sugarcoating it:

“We gotta start winning some hockey games… We gotta continue to get better each and every single day.”

One bright spot? Rookie Macklin Celebrini. The 18-year-old phenom, taken first overall in the 2024 draft, has been everything the Sharks hoped for and more. With 27 points in 27 games, including four goals and eight assists in his last nine outings, Celebrini has been a workhorse, playing over 20 minutes in six of the team’s last 10 games.

Goaltending, however, has been a major issue. Since trading Mackenzie Blackwood, the Sharks have given up three or more goals in 11 straight games. Yaroslav Askarov has shown flashes of promise, posting a .915 save percentage and a 2.62 GAA in limited starts, but consistency remains elusive.

Top NHL Picks and Predictions to Boost Your Betting Game 💰 Click Here!

Flyers Are Fighting Their Own Battles

The Flyers (14-16-4) aren’t exactly crushing it either. They’ve allowed four or more goals in six of their last seven games, including Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the Kings, where they blew a 4-2 lead.

The good news? Rookie Matvei Michkov, a top contender for Rookie of the Year alongside Celebrini, seems to be finding his groove again. After a seven-game scoreless streak, Michkov notched a goal and an assist against the Kings. Head coach John Tortorella was impressed:

“I thought Mich competed harder. I thought there was a big difference in his game.”

Michkov now has 29 points in 35 games, and if he can keep building on that momentum, he could give Philadelphia the offensive spark they need.

The Flyers’ biggest problem right now is goaltending. Samuel Ersson leads the team but has struggled, with a .880 save percentage and a 3.14 GAA. Fixing their defensive lapses will be key if they want to leave San Jose with a win.

The Rookie Matchup

One of the most exciting storylines in this game is the head-to-head battle between Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov. Both are young stars with huge potential, and their performances could very well decide this game.

What to Watch For

San Jose

Can Celebrini Shine Again? The rookie has been carrying the Sharks offensively, and they’ll need another big game from him to break the streak.
Improved Defense: With their goaltending woes, the Sharks need to tighten up defensively to have a shot.

Philadelphia

Michkov’s Momentum: The Flyers need Michkov to keep building on his strong game against the Kings.
Defensive Stability: Blown leads have been a recurring issue, and Philadelphia needs to close out games more effectively.

Why It Matters

For the Sharks, this game is a chance to snap a losing streak and find some positives in what’s been a tough season. For the Flyers, it’s about stabilizing their defense and picking up a win to stay competitive.

With rookies like Celebrini and Michkov in the spotlight, this isn’t just a battle between struggling teams—it’s a glimpse at the future of the NHL.

Don’t miss it—it’s going to be a fun one!

San Jose Sharks vs Philadelphia Flyers Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024