Penguins vs. Flyers Prediction
The Philadelphia Flyers were unable to win Game 3 on their home ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins and now face a 2-1 series deficit. Can Philadelphia bounce back with a win as the series resumes tonight?
Game Snapshot
57 Pittsburgh Penguins at 58 Philadelphia Flyers
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Wells Fargo Center at 7PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Penguins are listed as a -145 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Flyers are a +125 underdog, while the total is set at 6 goals. As of Wednesday morning, an even 50 percent of public bets are coming in on Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Crosby shines again
Pittsburgh star center Sidney Crosby was great in Game 1, but his hat trick also accounted for the last three goals in a 7-0 victory so chances are his squad would have rolled anyway. After a quiet Game 2 in a 5-1 loss, Crosby was back at it the last game as he accounted for the first goal scored and also added two assists as the Penguins pushed their lead to 4-0 in the second period. He recorded another assist in the third period and Pittsburgh finished off the 5-1 win to take the series lead back again. Crosby is still one of the game’s most talented players and when he is playing his best, Pittsburgh has a very difficult offense to slow down with him on the ice.
Defense letting down Flyers, Couturier status in question
Game 2 saw Philadelphia capable of playing a strong defensive game as they held Pittsburgh to one goal and evened up the series. The two other contests have had entirely undesirable results with the Penguins scoring seven and five goals, respectively. Part of it is on shoddy goaltending, but the Flyers have had trouble defensively all season as they rank 14th in goals allowed per game (2.9). Additionally, the Flyers offense could take a major hit as star center Sean Couturier, who has a goal and two assists this series, was involved in a scary collision at practice Tuesday and his status is in question.
NHL Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Penguins are 0-4 in their last four games played on two days of rest. Pittsburgh is 6-1 in the last seven meetings.
Philadelphia
The Flyers are 1-4 in their last five games versus the Penguins in Philadelphia. The Flyers are 0-4 in their last four games played on two days of rest.
Prediction:
What this series seems to indicate through three games is that one game was an anomaly and the other two games are a better indicator. The Penguins might not win in a blowout like their other two wins, but it seems like for the most part they have Philly’s number and Game 2 saw them simply get a little too confident for their own good. Put your money on Pittsburgh in this spot.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS -145