In this article we will formulate a Penguins vs Flyers prediction for this NHL game on Monday, April 27th 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 1-3 in this series after they lost three of the first four games by scores of 2-3, 0-3, 2-5, and 4-2. In game four, Pittsburgh jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second period and they never looked back to get a crucial win. The Penguins recorded 21 shots on goal, won 43.6% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Crosby, Dewar, Rakell, and Letang, while Silovs stopped 28 out of 30 shots, which was a .933 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Pittsburgh lost to the Blues by a score of 7-5 and the Capitals by a score of 3-0. The Penguins have lost six of their last seven games 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 Arturs Silovs, who was 19-12-8 with a 3.07 goals against average and an .888 save percentage this season.
Philadelphia Flyers Betting Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers are up 3-1 in this series after they lost game four by a score of 4-2 on Saturday night. Philadelphia cut the deficit to 2-1 in the second period and 3-2 in the third, but couldn’t find the tying goal in the loss. The Flyers recorded 30 shots on goal, won 56.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Philadelphia got goals from Barkey and Konecny, while Vladar stopped 17 out of 20 shots, which was an .850 save percentage.
Prior to this series, Philadelphia defeated the Canadiens by a score of 4-2 and the Hurricanes by a score of 3-2. The Flyers have won nine of their last eleven 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 Flyers have lost four of their last five playoff series closeout games.
- The Penguins have won five of their last six night games at PPG Paints Arena following a road win.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in 11 of their last 12 night games following a road win.
- The Penguins have won the first period in 10 of their last 12 night games following a road win.
Why the Philadelphia Flyers will win
- The Flyers have won each of their last five games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Penguins have lost four of their last five games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Flyers have covered the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- 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 Flyers’ last four road games against the Penguins following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Penguins’ last five games as favorites following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Six of the last eight games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Flyers’ last 18 night games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 12 night games.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Evgeni Malkin has scored a goal in three of the Penguins’ last four home playoff games.
- Evgeni Malkin has recorded at least one assist in 13 of his last 14 home appearances against the Flyers.
- Sidney Crosby has scored five goals against the Flyers this season – most against any opponent.
Philadelphia Flyers Player Prop Facts
- Porter Martone has scored the first goal in three of the Flyers’ last four games as underdogs.
- Porter Martone has scored a goal in each of the Flyers’ last five games as underdogs.
- Travis Konecny has recorded an assist in each of the Flyers’ last four road games.
- 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 was able to avoid elimination in game four on Saturday night, but they have a lot of work to do to get back in this series. The Penguins were 20-13-8 at home this year, while the Flyers were 23-14-4 on the road. Philadelphia is not a great offensive team, but they play excellent defense and they have allowed two goals or fewer in nine of their last eleven. We know Pittsburgh has the offensive advantage and I think they will continue their momentum from game four here. Take the Penguins to win.