There has not been much debate about who is the best hockey team in Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Penguins have won seven of their eight meetings with the Philadelphia Flyers this season. Of course, that includes the Pens winning three of the first four games of their current playoff series with the Flyers – a span of games in which Claude Giroux and company have been outscored 18-6.
- The Flyers are averaging 24.3 shots per game this series – that is 8 shots less than their season average.
- The Penguins are 19-4 SU in their last 23 games at home.
- Sidney Crosby has 7 goals and 11 assists in 8 games against the Flyers this season.
The Flyers now need to accomplish the highly improbable – winning three straight games against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. The Flyers have not taken three in a row against the Penguins since they rattled off eight straight vs their in-state rival between November 2013 and April 2015. In fact, since that Flyers winning streak, Philly is just 4-10-2 against Pittsburgh.
If the Flyers want to keep their season alive, they need some form of offensive spark. Philly is averaging just 1.5 goals per game this series and has been shut out twice already. It sounds hackneyed but the Flyers need to do a better job at getting shots on net, with the team averaging just 24.3 shots per game during this series. Comparably, the team averaged 32.1 shots a game during the regular season.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Pittsburgh Penguins in this one found them earlier as -265 favorites on the NHL moneyline at Sportsbook. Betting the OVER/UNDER total instead? It was hovering near 6 at its open earlier today at Sportsbook and may have moved.
Handicapping models based on recent betting stats and prediction formulas pick a 4.8-0.8 win for the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins bring a 50-30-6 record to the battle against the 43-29-14 Flyers. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Pittsburgh go 48-34-4 so far and the Flyers go 44-38-4. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs Philadelphia injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings at OddsShark show the No. 16-rated Flyers taking on the No. 5-rated Penguins in this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Pittsburgh's No. 2-ranked offense, averaging 3.37 goals per game, against a Philadelphia defense that ranks No. 20 at 3.03 goals allowed. The Penguins power play is averaging 26.16% while the Flyers defense kills off 75.72% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
- Philadelphia is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
- Philadelphia is 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games on the road
- Philadelphia is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games on the road
- Philadelphia is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
- Pittsburgh is 19-4 SU in its last 23 games at home
- Pittsburgh is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Philadelphia
Next Betting Matchups
Philadelphia home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, April 22
