The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet in NHL action from the PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night. Who will come out on top in this in-state rivalry showdown? Let’s dive in, take a look and give out a Flyers vs. Penguins Prediction.
Philadelphia Flyers Team Preview
The Philadelphia Flyers come into this game looking to rebound from losses in 4 of their last 5 games after a 4-3 OT loss to New Jersey last time out. Travis Konecny leads the Flyers in scoring with a team-high 12 goals and 5 assists while Travis Sanheim has 16 points with a team-high 14 assists. Joel Farabee has 15 points split between 8 goals and 7 assists and Sean Couturier also has 15 points with 10 assists. Cam Atkinson also has 14 points with 8 goals and Owen Tippett’s 14 points are split between 7 goals and 7 assists. Carter Hart has posted a 6-6-1 record in goal for Philly with a 2.68 GAA and a .909 save percentage while Samuel Ersson is 4-3-1 with a 2.78 GAA and an .881 save percentage. Cal Petersen’s also 1-1 with a 3.50 GAA and an .896 save percentage as well on the year.
Philadelphia Flyers Team Facts
- The Flyers have lost each of their last four games at PPG Paints Arena.
- The Flyers have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The Flyers have won the third period in seven of their last eight games against the Penguins after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Flyers’ last six games after coming off overtime.
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Pittsburgh Penguins Team Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins come into this game looking to build on their 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last time out. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 25 points including a team-high 14 goals along with 11 assists while Jake Guentzel has 25 points along with a team-high 18 assists. Evgeni Malkin has 20 points with 10 goals and 10 assists while Erik Karlsson’s added 18 points with 12 assists and Bryan Rust has 17 points with 10 goals this season. Tristan Jarry has gone 8-8-1 with a 2.45 GAA and a .919 save percentage while Alex Nedeljkovic has a 2-2 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .937 save percentage this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the Penguins’ last six games.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Penguins’ last six games.
- The Penguins have won the second period in each of their last four games.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last 11 home games against opponents on a losing streak.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks 27th in the league in power play percentage this season (11.86%).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins ranks 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.59).
- The Philadelphia Flyers ranks 28th in the league in power play percentage this season (11.69%).
- The Philadelphia Flyers ranks 25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.91).
Flyers vs. Penguins Prediction
I’m backing the Penguins here. I just feel like the Penguins are the better team and it feels like the Flyers are back doing Flyers things after that winning streak ended. The goal-scoring has dried up and while the Penguins are far from world-beaters, they’ve owned this matchup in recent meetings and I think the Pens get another one over on the Flyers here. Give me Pittsburgh.
