In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Flyers prediction for this NHL game on Monday, April 20th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL playoff matchup.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are down 0-1 in this series after lost game one by a score of 3-2 on Saturday. Pittsburgh tied the game at one late in the second period, but they allowed the first two goals in the third for the loss. The Penguins recorded 17 shots on goal, won 59.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Malkin and Rust, while Skinner stopped 17 out of 20 shots, which was an .850 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Pittsburgh lost to the Blues by a score of 7-5 and the Capitals by a score of 3-0. The Penguins have lost four games in a row and they finished second in the Metro standings with 98 points. Pittsburgh scored 3.54 goals per game and they allowed 3.15 goals against per game, while also going 24.1% on the power play and 81.4% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby led Pittsburgh with 29 goals and 45 assists, while Anthony Mantha added 33 goals and 31 assists. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Stuart Skinner, who was 12-9-5 with a 2.99 goals against average and an .885 save percentage this season.
Philadelphia Flyers Betting Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers are up 1-0 in this series after getting a huge road win on Saturday by a score of 3-2. Philadelphia was tied at one after the second period, but they scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of the third to get the win. The Flyers recorded 20 shots on goal, won 40.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Philadelphia got goals from Martone, Drysdale, and Sanheim, while Vladar stopped 15 out of 17 shots, which was an .882 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Philadelphia defeated the Canadiens by a score of 4-2 and the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2. The Flyers have won seven of their last eight games and they finished third in the Metro standings with 98 points. Philadelphia scored 2.93 goals per game and they allowed 2.92 goals against per game, while also going 15.7% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Travis Konecny led Philadelphia with 27 goals and 41 assists, while Trevor Zegras added 26 goals and 41 assists. The projected starting goalie for Philadelphia is Dan Vladar, who was 29-14-7 with a 2.42 goals against average and a .906 save percentage this season.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Penguins have won five of their last six home games against the Flyers following a home loss.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in eight of the Penguins’ last nine games.
- The Flyers have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last three games following a road win.
- The Flyers have lost the third period in six of their last seven road games following a road win.
Why the Philadelphia Flyers will win
- The Flyers have won 12 of their last 14 games as road underdogs.
- The Penguins have lost seven of their last eight home games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Flyers have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games.
- The Penguins have lost the second period in each of their last six home games against Eastern Conference opponents when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last seven home games following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the last five games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Flyers’ last six night games at PPG Paints Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Flyers’ last 15 night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 11 games following a loss.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Evgeni Malkin has scored a goal in four of the Penguins’ last five home playoff games.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in each of his last 13 home appearances against the Flyers.
- Sidney Crosby has scored four goals against the Flyers this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Philadelphia Flyers Player Prop Facts
- Porter Martone has scored a goal in each of the Flyers’ last four games as underdogs.
- Trevor Zegras has recorded an assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Flyers as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Trevor Zegras ranks 1st in the league for shootout goals (7) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 3rd in the league for goals per game this season (3.54).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank 6th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.43%).
- The Philadelphia Flyers rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (15.74%).
- The Philadelphia Flyers have recorded the equal-longest road winning streak (8 games) in the NHL this season.
Penguins vs Flyers Prediction
Pittsburgh comes into this matchup on a four game losing streak and they really struggled to generate chances in game one on Saturday. The Penguins were 20-13-8 at home this year, while the Flyers were 23-14-4 on the road. Philadelphia has won four in a row and they have allowed two goals or fewer in all four of those wins. The Flyers played a perfect road game to start this series, but I expect Pittsburgh’s offense to wake up, as they scored over 3.50 goals per game this year. Take the Penguins to get the win here.