They've only played one game, but the Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins appear headed to a much more intense and physical series. Tonight, Monday May 3, is Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, in Boston, with the Bruins up 1-0. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Bruins as -145 moneyline home favorites over the Flyers (+125) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins Game 2 Odds & Prediction in now at BETUS.com
The Flyers played the Bruins best player, Marc Savard, hard after his first game back since he suffered a concussion March 7."They played me hard and that's part of the playoffs," Savard said. "And that's the way Pronger plays against everybody. He just took me out hard a couple times. [Mike] Richards is a fierce competitor, but that's part of the game. We had a couple of words for each other . . . so I'm sure it's not going to get easier. They're a good hockey team over there." The Flyers have to win a game in Boston as home ice will be advantageous in Game 3. The Flyers lacked their usual early energy that has led to them scoring the first goal in a majority of games , but that was partly to be blamed on their eight day lay over. Now that they have a game under their belt in the best of seven series, you can bet they’ll come out harder than in Game 1. Goalie Brian Boucher was outstanding in the Flyers' five-game elimination of the New Jersey Devils and he kept his team in Game 1 against the Bruins. He's second in the playoffs with a 2.07 GAA and third with a .928 SVPCT. During the season, the Flyers were 8-25 when opponents netted the first goal.
The Bruins won an overtime thriller on Saturday as Marc Savard nailed the overtime winner to finish the game 5-4. Savard led the team in scoring for three-straight years before this injury-plagued season. As a result of his long rest, he's fresher than anyone in this series and he could be more dangerous than usual. Marco Sturm suffered a season-ending injury in Game 1. He had no points in the Buffalo series and only one goal in his last 22 games, after leading the team in the regular season with 22 goals. His energy, savvy play and penalty-killing will be missed. Rookie goalie Tuukka Rask is fourth in the playoffs with a 2.46 GAA and fifth with a .921 save percentage. The Bruins have many different heroes throughout these playoffs. Savard, Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara all have a game-winning goal and Miroslav Satan, who now has 21 points in 22 playoff games against Philadelphia, has two, one to win the double-overtime Game 4 against the Sabres in Boston and the series-clincher in Game 6. The Bruins killed all 19 Sabres' power plays in their series, but the Flyers scored twice on five power-play opportunities in Game 1. That's still a 91.7% kill rate, second-best in the playoffs behind the Blackhawk's 93.6 percent.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Flyers are 6-1 in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 overall.
- Flyers are 5-2 in their last 7 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Bruins are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a home favorite.
- Bruins are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Bruins are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
- Bruins are 6-0 in their last 6 games as a favorite.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins
When: Monday May 03, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Flyers +125
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins Game 2 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Bruins suffered a talented loss and the Flyers will take advantage. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Philadelphia Flyers vs Boston Bruins Game 2 Odds & Predictions in now at BETUS.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
