Penguins vs. Flyers Prediction
The Philadelphia Flyers stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 5 to keep their chances alive in the first round series? Can Philadelphia manage another win this afternoon on their home ice to force a Game 7?
Game Snapshot
73 Pittsburgh Penguins at 74 Philadelphia Flyers
Sunday, April 22, 2018
Wells Fargo Center at 3PM ET
TV: NBC
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Penguins are a -155 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Flyers are a +135 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Sunday morning, 76 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Pittsburgh. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Gritty effort by Couturier leads way
Flyers standout center Sean Couturier missed Game 4 after a nasty practice collision with a teammate day before left him with a lower body injury. After being questionable for Game 5, he ultimately played although certainly at far less than 100 percent. Regardless, he showed his toughness through 16:55 of ice time and scored the go-ahead goal in the 4-2 victory with only 1:15 remaining in the third period. It was Courturier’s second goal of the series. He had 31 goals and 45 assists in 82 games during the regular season.
Murray unable to follow up stellar effort
Pittsburgh’s young but experienced goalie Matt Murray was outstanding in the two previous games as he turned away 52 of 53 shots combined and notched his second shutout of the series to earn a pair of wins. But in Game 4, he slipped a little as he surrendered three goals on only 24 shots to be saddled with the loss. Murray had an average regular season with a goals-against average of 2.99, so the Penguins are banking on him building on his impressive playoff performances. But another slip up today and we might be looking at a Game 7.
NHL Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The road team is 4-0 in the last four meetings. The Penguins are 4-0 in their last four road games.
Philadelphia
The under is 1-0-3 in the last four Flyers games versus the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia is 0-4 in its last four home games versus Pittsburgh.
Predictions:
The Flyers are due for a home win against Pittsburgh, so why not here in a huge situation. Murray is beatable as Game 5 proved and with Couturier back in the fold, it makes the Philly offense that much more formidable. As long as the Flyers can stay strong in the back end which is entirely possible at home, they have a good shot here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: PHILADELPHIA +135