The Philadelphia Flyers are four points out of a playoff spot. However, only the Colorado Avalanche, currently the best team in the NHL with 62 points, have more money on them to win the 2021 Stanley Cup.
Decades before legalized sports betting arrived in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Flyers had an ardent base of supporters. Despite not winning a Stanley Cup since 1975, the Flyers enjoy continued patience and allegiance to the organization from their followers.
Before Gritty, their mascot could have easily been a sheep because Flyers followers rarely second-guessed the organization’s moves…or canceled their season ticket packages.
It appears that Flyers bettors are also following their orange-and-black hearts instead of their heads when it comes to betting on the Flyers.
FanDuel bettors favor Flyers
The Flyers are FanDuel’s biggest liability in the Stanley Cup futures market.
Nationally, the Flyers account for the second-highest handle to win the Stanley Cup with 14% of the money. The Colorado Avalanche lead with 18%. FanDuel broke down the futures handle for only Pennsylvania and it illustrates just how much of a home state bias bettors have for the Flyers.
Top 5 teams by handle in the Stanley Cup futures market (PA betting only)
- 41%: Flyers
- 16%: Penguins
- 3%: Capitals
- 3% each for the Avalanche, Capitals and Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers have second-highest Stanley Cup handle
In the Stanley Cup futures market, the Colorado Avalanche are the biggest liability at DraftKings, followed by the Flyers.
For Stanley Cup futures, the Flyers have the second-highest handle percentage at DraftKings.
2021 Stanley Cup betting splits
- 24%: Colorado Avalanche (+450)
- 11%: Philadelphia Flyers (+5000)
- 8%: Boston Bruins (+1600)
- 8%: Vegas Golden Knights (+800)
- 5%: St. Louis Blues (+4000)
East Division betting splits
- 36%: Boston Bruins (+375)
- 26%: Philadelphia Flyers (+2500)
- 13%: Washington Capitals (+125)
- 11%: New York Islanders (+225)
- 6%: New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins better but not backed
The “other” Pennsylvania NHL team, the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-13-2, 56 points) are currently in third place in the East Division.
However, bettors are more frigid when spending on Penguins futures. The Penguins (+1900) are 13th in Stanley Cup futures handle (3%) at BetMGM. At DraftKings, the Penguins don’t crack the top ten (less than 2% of handle).
Great expectations for 2021 Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers’ popularity in the futures market is nothing new. Last summer when the NHL restarted, the Flyers had the second-highest percentage of handle to win the Stanley Cup. The Flyers were the third-most bet NHL team by handle at DraftKings for the 2019-2020 season behind the Boston Bruins and Pittsburgh Penguins. However, they were playing a lot better than they are currently.
The Flyers entered the 2021 season with great expectations mostly due to the emergence of goaltender Carter Hart.
In January, head coach Alain Vigneault told the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Expectations are high. Let’s not kid ourselves,” coach Alain Vigneault told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “Our first goal is to get into the playoffs, and then we are not in this to win one series. We are in this to win the Stanley Cup.”
He added about his expectations:
“Making the playoffs is non-negotiable here.”
Sports betting apps also put the Flyers among the contenders before the 2021 season started. Flyers Stanley Cup odds varied at sportsbooks from +1400 to +1800.
When the NHL season started the top four teams by handle in the Stanley Cup Champion market at FanDuel were:
- Colorado Avalanche (27%)
- Philadelphia Flyers (12%)
- Tampa Bay Lightning (9%)
- New York Rangers (8% of handle with odds between 26/1 and 32/1)
Flyers look like they will go “under”
For Flyers team and player futures, it looks like the “under” will cash. Here is a look at preseason markets offered and where things stand now.
Philadelphia Flyers regular season points:
- Over 67.5 (-105)
- Under 67.5 (-115)
Now: The Flyers currently have 44 points. They would need 26 points in their final fifteen games to reach 68 points.
To make the playoffs:
- Yes (-250)
- No (+200)
Now: The Flyers trail Boston by four points for a playoff spot.
Claude Giroux:
- Over 45.5 (-115)
- Under 45.5 (-115)
Now: 31 points
Sean Couturier:
- Over 49.5 (-115)
- Under 49.5 (-115)
Now: 30 points
Travis Konecny:
- Over 40.5 (-115)
- Under 40.5 (-115)
Now: 28 points
