NHL: Flyers visit Capitals, Coyotes to Islanders, Dietel picks

Flyers (+165) @ Capitals (-185), 12:30 p.m.
Pick: Capitals (-185)

The Flyers (36-31-8) lost a tough one to the Islanders yesterday and will attempt to bounce back to keep their playoffs dreams alive today on the road versus the Capitals (43-24-8). Philly will march into the nation’s capitol to face a rested Washington team who currently is on a 2 game slide. The Flyers are 7 points out of a playoff spot and hope for the post season is certainly dwindling.

The Capitals want to maintain their first place status in the Metro in hopes to steer clear of Pittsburgh in the first round. Look for them to bring everything they have today in order to stay ahead of the pesky Islanders. We think F Alex Ovechkin and Co. take this one easily this afternoon.

Coyotes (+145) at Islanders (-165), 3:00 p.m.
Pick: Coyotes (+145)

Yesterday the Coyotes (36-32-7) dropped a crucial game against the Devils in a shootout. They managed to get one point out of the tilt which helps ever so slightly but isn’t quite enough. They need to come out ready to take on the Islanders if they want to stay in the tough playoff race in the West. They’ve lost 4 straight games and have gone 4-4-2 down the stretch. They trail the Avalanche by one point and can pass them in the standings with a win today so long as Colorado loses to the Blackhawks in regulation tonight. It’s a big one for the Desert team.

The Islanders (43-24-8) trail the Caps in the standings by 1 point and will look to reclaim their spot atop the standings this afternoon. They outplayed Philly yesterday and they will look to do the same to the Yotes. However, we think the Islanders may underestimate their opponent today. Arizona has a reputation around the league about being an easy team to play and we think the Coyotes take advantage of that this afternoon.