The Philadelphia Flyers, fueled by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, are ready to take the ice against Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in a divisional showdown. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, and you’ll be able to witness it live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Playing the role of favorites will be the Penguins (-185), whereas the Flyers are dogs showing moneyline odds of +160, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-125 money on the over, +105 on the under).
Pittsburgh is 10-14 straight up (SU) and has recorded -12.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 24 regular season contests, 10 of its games have gone over the total, while another 10 have gone under and four have pushed. The team is 5-7 SU at home this year.
The Penguins have connected on 24.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all penalties.
With a .924 save percentage and 24.5 saves per game, Casey DeSmith (6-9-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Pens this year. If Pittsburgh chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Matt Murray (4-7-7 record, .877 save percentage, 4.08 goals against average).
Philadelphia has lost 7.0 units for moneyline bettors this year and is currently 10-14 straight up (SU). A total of 15 of its contests have gone over the total, while nine have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Flyers are 5-6 SU as the away team this season.
The Flyers have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully defended 70.9 percent of all penalties.
Brian Elliott (25.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott owns a 7-7 record, and has registered a .911 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average this year.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Penguins are 5-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Flyers are 4-6 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
The over has hit in three of Philadelphia’s last five outings.
Philadelphia is ranked 11th this season with 8.6 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it’s averaged 9.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 9.6 giveaways over its last five.
Pittsburgh is ranked 14th this season with 9.5 giveaways per game. That figure has improved recently, however, as the team’s averaged 7.0 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.8 giveaways over its last five.
This game features a couple of the more physical defenses in the league. Philadelphia skaters have accounted for the league’s 10th-most hits per game (23.3) while the Pens have handed the second-most (29.5).
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