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Jeremy Perry
Penguins vs. Flyers: Game 6 Prediction, NHL Playoffs
Philadelphia has been written off a number of times, which isn’t a surprise considering they were outscored a combined 17-1 in their three losses in this series. However, the Flyers have demonstrated an impressive resiliency and won’t go down without a fight.
Penguins vs Flyers Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The Flyers went 22-13-6 on home ice in the regular season. However, they are still looking for their first win of the series at the Wells Fargo Center after losing Game 3 and Game 4 in Philadelphia. The magic number is 4 for the Flyers heading in to Game 6. The winning team has scored four goals or more in all nine meetings between these teams dating back to the regular season.
Meanwhile, the Penguins don’t want to wait until Game 7 to close this first round series out. Pittsburgh went 17-20-4 as the visiting team in games this season. However, they have now won 11 straight games after losing their previous contest by two or more. They lost by more than two in Game 5.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Uncharacteristically sloppy play, turnovers and a lack of finish plagued the Penguins in their Game 5 loss. A Phil Kessel turnover on the powerplay late in the second period led to a shorthanded goal by Valtteri Filppula. Then with the game tied at 2-2 late in the third period, another turnover in the Pittsburgh zone led to Sean Couturier’s game-winning goal. The Penguins know what they have to clean up in order to bounce back in Game 6. If their response following their first loss of the series is any indication, they should come out firing on all cylinders.
Sidney Crosby leads all scorers with five goals in these playoffs. Crosby has 10 points in the series while Jake Guentzel is right behind him with eight points. The one player to keep an eye on is goaltender Matt Murray, who allowed three goals on 24 shots in the Game 4 loss. Murray has allowed just one goal combined on 77 shots in Pittsburgh’s three wins in this series but has been noticeably worse in the losses. The Pens can simply outscore the Flyers to earn the win but having a strong effort from Murray would make this easier.
Philadelphia Flyers
Couturier was the hero for the Flyers in Game 5 following the freak accident in practice led to a knee injury that forced him to miss Game 4. Philadelphia doesn’t have the same level of talent throughout its forward lines, so Couturier’s presence in the lineup is extremely important. The Flyers top line generated plenty of chances in Game 5 and will be leaned on again on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the biggest factor for Philadelphia might very well be the play of goaltender Michal Neuvirth. Neuvirth turned aside 30 of the 32 shots he faced to lead the Flyers to a win in his first start of these playoffs. If Neuvirth shines again, then Philadelphia has a legitimate chance to extend this series with a win.
