Facing each other for the second time in three days, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night in some early NHL action.
The Flyers skated away with a 6-3 victory Wednesday in the NHL’s opening game thanks to a three-goal third period. With the new COVID schedule, these “mini-series” will be the norm in 2021.
The Flyers will be going back to goalie Carter Hart, who made 33 saves on Wednesday and picked up his second win against the Pens in three starts. The young goalie owns a .929 SV percentage versus Pittsburgh. The Penguins could counter with backup Casey DeSmith after starter Tristan Jarry surrendered six goals two days ago.
Oddsmakers have this game as a straight pick’em with a total of 6 shaded towards the Over.
Here are our free picks and predictions for Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers for Friday, January 15 (7:00 p.m. EST).
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers Betting Preview
Injuries
Penguins: Kasperi Kapanen F (questionable), Zach Aston-Reese F (out).
Flyers: Shayne Gostisbehere D (questionable), Morgan Frost F (questionable).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting Trend to Know
The Over is 11-5-3 in the last 19 meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Penguins vs. Flyers.
Moneyline Pick
The Penguins played a competitive 45 minutes on Wednesday against the Flyers but let a 3-3 game turn into a 6-3 defeat in a hurry. Pittsburgh allowed four even-strength goals and two on the powerplay but conceded just 25 shots on net. This game was marred by poor defensive plays on both sides, but a seven-minute stretch in the third was the real difference.
The Penguins also shot themselves in the foot by giving up late goals in both the first and second periods but on a positive note, they out-chanced Philly and directed more pucks at the net.
Despite losing 6-3, Pittsburgh had more expected goals than the Flyers, who buried most of their chances. Philly won’t shoot 60% percent on high-danger chances again Friday night.
If the Penguins can solve the Flyers’ line of Kevin Hayes, Joel Farabee and Claude Giroux, who had seven points combined on Wednesday, they will put themselves in a much better position to pick up the win.
Giving up six goals in the opener will surely create a little more motivation for the more-experienced Pittsburgh team who won’t want to start the season 0-2 with a pair of games versus the Capitals on deck.
PREDICTION: Pittsburgh ML (-110)
Over/Under Pick
It takes a lot more energy to play defense than it does offense. Just take a look at NHL overtime if you don’t believe us.
During Wednesday’s opener, both teams generated lengthy periods of possession in the attacking zone that created 35 medium and high-danger chances combined. These long attacks wear the defense down and generate penalties — all of which are good for the Over.
We know that Philadelphia will start goalie Carter Hart but as of Thursday night, Pittsburgh has yet to confirm Friday’s starting goalie.
Tristan Jarry got shelled Wednesday and could get a sympathy start from the Pittsburgh coaching staff. If he does sit, backup Casey DeSmith will be between the pipes. Smith did not play an NHL game last season.
The Penguins should also get a little more finish from their top two lines Friday as the Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin lines registered a single unassisted goal all game Wednesday.
With both of these teams able to roll out a solid three lines of scoring, we are liking more goals in Friday’s rematch.
PREDICTION: Over 6 (-115)
Penguins vs Flyers Betting Card
- Pittsburgh ML (-110)
- Over 6 (-115)
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