Trust Flyers to snap skid vs. Red Wings on Thursday

The hockey gods weren't kind to our unders Wednesday night. Arvid Soderblom conceded six goals on 28 shots and posted a putrid .786 save percentage against the undermanned Kraken, while a game featuring two goals in the first 26 minutes totaled eight.

Let's look at a couple of plays that stand out Thursday as we attempt to get back in the win column.

Flyers (+105) @ Red Wings (-125)

We successfully faded the Red Wings last time out, and we're going right back to the well.

Detroit isn't a very good team. It doesn't generate many shots, allows a ton of them, and generally needs strong goaltending - and/or unsustainably high shooting percentages - to string together any run of success. But that's what we've seen lately from the Red Wings to win seven of their last 11 games.

However, they've controlled only 41% of the expected goals in that span, the second-lowest rate in the NHL.

While the Flyers have stumbled a little lately, strong five-on-five play has been their calling card all season. They play a structured and tight defensive game, and career seasons from the likes of Travis Konecny and Joel Farabee have given the team a real punch at the other end. Philadelphia should be able to expose Detroit's five-on-five woes.

I don't think Carter Hart's absence will mean much in this contest. Samuel Ersson has stopped six goals more than expected this campaign, while Hart only managed to tread water in that regard.

The Red Wings rank dead last in expected goal generation at five-on-five over the past 10 games. This is a matchup in which Ersson should get back on track and hold Detroit to a reasonable number.

I see the Flyers as live underdogs in this spot. The edge would only grow further if Owen Tippett - labeled as day-to-day - returns.

Bet: Flyers (+105)

Blackhawks (+435) @ Oilers (-575)

The Blackhawks can't score goals. They found the back of the net no more than twice in seven of the past eight games, coming up with one or blanked entirely on six occasions.

Generating chances is a big problem, and Chicago doesn't have the finishing ability in the lineup to convert on the opportunities.

There's every reason to expect another dry offensive performance in this one, as the Blackhawks are still missing what feels like their entire forward core due to injury. They're also in the second half of a road back-to-back and taking on an Oilers team amid what could be a historic winning streak.

Edmonton has played excellent defense during this run, conceding no more than two goals in 12 straight games. I don't think Chicago will be the team to break the streak.

Assuming that's the case, the Oilers would need to score at least five goals to put this contest over the number. And they could require more depending on how much they limit the Blackhawks.

While that's certainly within the realm of possibility for an offense led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, I don't know if it's likely.

Chicago has played low-event hockey lately by trying to suck the life out of games. The club will likely lean further into that style, with fatigue being a potential issue.

The Blackhawks also saved starting goaltender Petr Mrazek for this game. He's been good this season, saving more goals above expectation than the likes of Igor Shesterkin and Juuse Saros. I'm as surprised as you are.

This feels like a game where the Oilers can get out to a multi-goal lead and sort of coast their way to victory. I'm expecting a 4-1 type of contest and see value in backing the under.

Bet: Under 6.5 (-105)

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.