Prime Monday Night Hockey: Vancouver Canucks vs Philadelphia Flyers

U.S. TV:  NBC Sports Philadelphia; NHL Network

Canada TV: Prime (Canada); TVA Sports 2

Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

We have another Monday Night Hockey on Prime edition of NHL predictions with the Vancouver Canucks visiting the Philadelphia Flyers. The holiday season usually brings reunions, and this game is in the same spirit. Former Canucks coach Rick Tocchet welcomes his old team as the Flyers’ bench boss just in time for Christmas.

Vancouver comes into this game with a 5-4-1 record in its previous 10 games. However, the Canucks have won four consecutive games entering this last game before the holiday break. Some thought the Canucks would nosedive without Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson. However, the team has played well for new coach Adam Foote.

Tocchet and the Flyers sit in fourth in the Metropolitan Division. However, Philadelphia is 3-3-4 in its last 10 games, including five of its last six games. The Flyers have a game Tuesday against the wounded Chicago Blackhawks and would love to get a couple of points.

Let’s take a look at this final Prime Monday Night Hockey edition of NHL predictions before Christmas. We delve into the statistics and storylines going into this matchup.

The Canucks Story

Some thought Vancouver was waving the white flag after dealing Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. However, the Canucks are heading into the break with momentum. A fifth-straight win would do wonders for the team’s confidence heading into the final games of the calendar year.

Thatcher Demko is the projected starter for the Canucks but always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Demko is returning from injury but has been solid in those games. He has an 8-5 record with a 2.34 goals-against-average and .914 save percentage.

Elias Pettersson leads the team in points despite being out of the lineup the last few games. Kiefer Sherwood is first in goals on the team with 16 so far.

The Flyers Story

This year was likely going to be a rebuilding season, but the Flyers have played well in stretches. Tocchet has seemingly gotten this team humming at times. However, there are times Philadelphia has struggled.

Daniel Vladar is the expected stater for the Flyers and has been solid in his first season since signing from the Calgary Flames. Vladar has a 12-5-3 record, with a 2.41 GAA and .910 save percentage.

Trevor Zegras is having a great first season with the Flyers. He leads the team in goals (15) and points (35), Zegras is tied with Travis Konecny for first in assists with 20.

Prediction

Both teams are on divergent paths at this point in the season. The Canucks are playing well despite the odds being against them. Philadelphia has seen flashes but has been inconsistent.

Vancouver has been solid away from home and Philadelphia has also been decent at home. Something is going to have to give. However, we like the Flyers to get the win.

Prediction: Flyers win 3-2.

Prop Bets of the Night

We close out this Monday Night Hockey on Prime edition of NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for the Canucks versus the Flyers is 5.5, and we like the under in this game.

As for individual props, go with Sherwood to get an anytime goal for Vancouver. On the Philadelphia side of things, take Konecny to get at least a point.

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