NHL.com identifies key games and players to watch throughout the 2023-24 season.
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Note: Betting lines provided by Betway (WE, Ontario)
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1. Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, NBCSP)
PHI financial line: +145
PIT money line: -175
The Flyers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and sit fifth in the Metropolitan Division standings, just above the Penguins (sixth; 5-4-1 in last 10 games), making it a key divisional matchup. Pittsburgh’s offense has a high shot volume, ranking third in the NHL in shots on goal per game (33.5) this season, while the Flyers rank sixth in the category (32. 8). Philadelphia ranks 10th in the NHL in offensive zone percentage (42.2) by NHL EDGE at all strength, while Pittsburgh has a top-ten offensive zone percentage (41.6) only at even strength . Last season, the Penguins won all three games played against the Flyers, scoring 13 goals and allowing four during that span.
Jake Guentzel is on a four-game point streak with four points (one goal, three assists) and 14 shots on goal in that span. He is tied for first in the league in even-strength points this season (22 in 22) games with his teammate. Sydney Crosby. Crosby has historically played well in this rivalry against the Flyers throughout his career and last season he had four points (two goals, two assists) and 13 shots on goal in three games against the team. Travis Konecny leads Philadelphia in points this season with 17 (12 goals, five assists) in 23 games. Defender Travis Sanheim is right behind him, ranking second on the team with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 23 games.
2. Boston Bruins vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET; SN, NESN, NHLN)
BOS puck (-1.5 goals): +225
Puckline TOR (+1.5 goals): -278
The Bruins will travel to Toronto for an Atlantic Division showdown and last season, Boston was 3-1-0 in four games against the Maple Leafs, scoring 12 goals and allowing eight in the span. Toronto has won back-to-back games and has had a one-goal differential in its last six straight games. Boston has suffered losses in three of its last four games, but won the only game against Toronto this season 3-2 on November 2.
Bruins Center Pavel Zacha has points in three of his last four games with four points (one goal, three assists) in that span. He has high production potential playing on their first line with David Pastrnak, who has four points (one goal, three assists) and 17 shots on goal in his last four games. Pastrnak ranks third in the NHL in shots on goal (102 in 22 games) this season. Mitchell Marner scored a hat trick against the Seattle Kraken on November 30 to increase his goal total to eight in 21 games this season. Beginner Matthew Knies also has a key placement on the Maple Leafs’ top line with elite forwards Auston Matthews And William Nylander.
3. Buffalo Sabers at Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET; BSSO, MSG-B)
Over 6.5 goals: -108
Under 6.5 goals: -112
The Hurricanes continue to lead the NHL in offensive zone percentage (47.4) this season and have the most shots on goal per game (34.1) of any team in the League. They will host the Sabres, who have scored at least four goals in consecutive games. Buffalo also allows the 12th most goals per game (3.35) in the NHL, while Carolina allows the 13th (3.32). The Hurricanes beat the Sabers 3-2 in their only matchup so far this season on November 7.
For Buffalo, JJ Peterka is on a streak of three consecutive games with at least one point with three points (two goals, one assist) and 13 shots on goal in this period. Casey Mittelstadt has been quietly productive for Buffalo this season with seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last six games. Mittelstadt is tied with the defender Rasmus Dahlin for Buffalo’s lead in points (20 in 23 games). Andrei Svechnikov has been consistent since his return to the Hurricanes lineup and has five points (one goal, four assists) in his last five games. Svechnikov also has 10 shots on goal in his last two games. Wing Michael Bunting has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games and has good placement on his first line with center Sébastien Aho (on a streak of three consecutive games with four points in the interval).
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