Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Prediction, NHL Odds
These teams have met twice this season; both contests needed extra time to declare a winner. The Metropolitan Division is the tightest in the NHL with only four points separating the seventh-seeded Penguins and the third-placed Flyers. Both teams are nearing the midway point of the season, making divisional games that much more crucial.
Puck drop from Wells Fargo Center on Broad Street in Philadelphia is set for 7:00 PM EST. Keep updated on our Moneyline, Puckline and Over/Under for Monday’s matchup on our NHL odds.
Penguins vs. Flyers NHL Betting Odds
In their first meeting of the season, the Flyers took a 4-3 shootout win over the Penguins, as Sean Couturier scored the lone goal in the shootout. Jake Guentzel had a pair of goals for the Penguins and rookie Tyson Foerster had two points (1G 1A) for Philly. The next meeting was even closer with Sidney Crosby and Foerster scoring the lone goals in regulation, before Couturier ended it in overtime once again.
Known for stepping up in rivalry games, Sidney Crosby is always a factor versus the Flyers. In 85 career games against the Flyers, Crosby has scored 54 goals and put up 125 points. Expect the Pens captain to be a factor in tonight’s road game.
This matchup has been low-scoring over the past few seasons, playing the UNDER in each of the past six meetings. The Flyers were the underdogs in the first two games this year and will have a higher payout again on Monday.
These teams are close geographically but might be even closer statistically this season. Pittsburgh has scored 117 goals in 38 games, compared to 116 in 39 for Philly. They even have identical goals-against average at 2.74, but are four points apart in the standings because of the Flyers’ ability to push games to overtime.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Despite peppering the Buffalo Sabres goalie with 41 shots on goal, the Penguins only managed a single goal in their 3-1 loss at home on Saturday night. Rickard Rakell (4) scored the goal in the third period on the powerplay to tie the game at a goal-a-piece. Tristan Jarry would allow two goals on 31 shots and Buffalo added an empty netter to hand the Pens their second loss since the new year.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was frustrated after having two goals called back on his group, one for offsides and the other, very slight goalie interference.
Defenceman Erik Karlsson had an assist in the game, extending his point streak to three games. In his first season with the Penguins, the 33-year-old has 27 points (6G 21A) in 38 games, playing over 24 minutes per game.
Considering Alex Nedelkovic was named the first star of the game in their last matchup with Philly expect him back in goal on Monday. He has been getting the majority of the starts for Pittsburgh over the past month.
Philadelphia Flyers
Saturday’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Calgary Flames helped the Flyers snap a four-game losing streak. A scoreless first period followed by an early strike from the Flames in the second, had the Flyers chasing for the rest of the night. Morgan Frost (6) tied it before Calgary would go ahead once again. At that point, the Flyers special teams took over and Sean Couturier (10) notched a powerplay goal before the end of the period, tying things again. Travis Konecny’s (21) short-handed goal early in the third, stood as the game-winner as Carter Hart would stop all six shots in the third for the win.
Frost has been in the dog house with the head coach John Tortorella on and off all season and was a healthy scratch in the previous game, before putting up a goal and an assist in his return to the lineup. The 24-year-old has 13 points in 28 games this season and has been in trade rumours recently because of his inability to stay in the lineup.
The Flyers have been rotating goalies Samuel Ersson and Carter Hart since the holiday break. If they continue this trend, it will be Ersson’s turn in goal on Monday.