The Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins square off at PPG Paints Arena in Game 1 of the NHL playoffs’s opening round. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 11, and it is being televised live on NBC Sports Network.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Philadelphia (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Pittsburgh (-185). The Over/Under (O/U), set at an even 6 goals, initially opened at -115 for the under and -105 for the over. That line has since shifted however, and it now sits at -120 for the under, +100 for the over.
Even though their record stands at 47-35 straight up (SU), the Penguins have produced 1.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 82 regular season contests, 47 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team is 30-11 SU at home this season.
Pittsburgh currently has the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 26.2 percent of their extra-man chances this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh, as a collective unit, has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, 4.2 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays for 9.2 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Sporting a .907 save percentage and 26.3 saves per game, Matt Murray (29-20-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Penguins this season. If they, however, decide to rest him, the team could turn to Tristan Jarry (15-11-11 record, .908 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average).
The Pens will continue relying on offensive production out of Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. Malkin (98 points) has tallied 42 goals and 56 assists and has recorded two or more points 26 times this year. Kessel has 34 goals and 58 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 56 contests.
On the other bench, Philadelphia is 42-40 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 82 regular season matches, 44 of its games have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just two have pushed. As the road team, Philadelphia is 20-21 SU.
Philadelphia has converted on 20.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.9 percent of all penalties.
Philadelphia’s skaters have been penalized 3.4 times per game in total this season, 3.4 per game over their past five outings total, and 3.0 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Brian Elliott (26.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott owns a 24-19-7 record, while registering a .909 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be facilitated through Claude Giroux, who’s got 68 assists and 34 goals on the year.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone over in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
The Pens this season have tallied the seventh-most hits per game (23.8).
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