The 2022/23 NHL season is in full swing and has already served up plenty of awesome games to enjoy. One game that many will be looking forward to is the visit of the impressive Winnipeg Jets to the Philadelphia Flyers. But what might happen in this eagerly anticipated NHL faceoff? 

Flyers vs Jets – what do the bookies think? 

A good way to get a quick understanding of what might happen in this game is by looking at what online sportsbooks predict. By taking a look at their odds, we can get an indication of who might come out on top. Of course, doing this also means you find the best betting odds to take advantage of – if you choose to wager on this match.

Although it is a little early for game odds as yet, most sportsbooks online have the Jets at around +1800 to win the Stanley Cup – with the Flyers trailing behind significantly at +30000! This tells us that the Jets are seen by the bookies as the better side and this could signal a win for them in this particular match. 

When you also see that the Jets are riding high in the Central Division of the Western Conference, while the Flyers are at the wrong end of the standings in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division, the signs look ominous for Philadelphia. 

Key players for the Flyers 

Although they may come into this game as slight underdogs, all is not lost for the Flyers. To begin with, they have talented right winger Travis Konecny to rely on. 

His hat-trick against the Capitals earlier in January 2023 not only secured a 5-3 victory for Philadelphia but showed how destructive he can be in offense. If he is on form and can cut through the Jets’ defense, the Flyers are in with a shout.

The other positive thing for the Flyers is that should Konecny be shut down on the right wing, left-winger Kevin Hayes could step in to cause problems for the Jets. This gives the team a dual threat and also gives Winnipeg more things to worry about during the game. 

Jets key players 

One player to bear in mind here is Kyle Connor, who was picked up in 2015’s NHL Draft by Winnipeg. He has been in great scoring form overall in 2022/23 and has chipped in with multiple assists to come out top dog in terms of points for the team. 

Defenseman Josh Morrissey could also prove a vital player if the Jets hope to win. He is the main man so far in terms of assists for the side and a crucial creative force for them. As alternate captain, he also provides effective leadership on the ice and will be crucial in stopping the Flyers’ offensive threats. If center Mark Scheifele continues to score goals with his powerful shooting, they will be tough opposition. 

What other factors might be key? 

As any hockey fan knows, it is not just about the players that each side fields. One thing to note here is that the Flyers are playing at home. They have been inconsistent on home turf overall in 2022/23, though, so it is open to debate as to how much this could help them! The Jets have been inconsistent overall away from Winnipeg and this could mean we are in for a close encounter. 

Injuries are also a key thing to look at when previewing any NHL game. In this regard, it seems that the Flyers are in a better position currently and should be able to field their strongest side. The Jets, though, have David Gustafsson out with an upper body injury and he may not be back in time for this matchup. If this is the case, it could be a major loss for them.

In addition, it is also worth looking at head-to-head records of when NHL teams meet. Looking back at the last three matches, the Flyers have won two and the Jets have taken a single win. While this is close overall, it does show that the Flyers have a slight edge over the Jets and this could be in their favor. 

Flyers vs Jets – game preview and conclusion 

When you look at how their respective seasons have gone so far, it is clear that the Jets have performed better than the Flyers. While this might make a Winnipeg victory seem likely, they have been inconsistent on the road and the Flyers do have the players that can hurt them. This makes this matchup tough to call and one that should provide plenty of excitement.