Sportsbook.com NHL Eastern Conference Preview

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NHL: Betting the Eastern Conference

Two intense division rivals meet Friday in the Keystone State to determine who’s the best team in Pennsylvania and the Eastern Conference.

(#6) Philadelphia versus (#2) Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is -220 to win this series and 9:5 to win the Stanley Cup. Philly is +170 in the series and 5:1 to win the Cup. (Live Odds - Click Here)



Philadelphia is going for the conference trifecta, having already beaten the number three and one seeds, and now hunting for second-seeded Pittsburgh.

With this much at stake, emotions will be running even higher for this tremendous rivalry. Philadelphia altered their team after a couple of unsuccessful seasons and though they still love to hit, they have more skilled players that can skate.

Continued stellar play from R.J. Umberger would be a big plus, he personally destroyed Montreal with eight goals and one assist. The Flyers are second in goals scored in the playoffs, showing surprising depth. No one is shocked to learn Philly is the most penalized team in the post-season, but to date they’ve survived.

That might not be the case against Pittsburgh, who has at least one power play goal in eight of nine playoff games. The Flyers defense and goalie Martin Biron are going to have to be stout. Philadelphia has won eight of their last 11 and is 4-3 on the road.

If Philadelphia is brawn, combined with blue-collar work attitude, Pittsburgh is highly skilled with superior talent, finally sticking their collective noses into the fray. However, playing fading Ottawa and the elderly Rangers does not prepare one to be “punched in the face” by the Flyers.

Philly’s strong armed talents enabled them to beat the Penguins five of eight times this season, including three as an underdog or Pick. Playoff hockey is different though, as matchups become more important and trying to contain ultra-talented centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is a harrowing task for any defense.

Malkin and linemates, Ryan Malone and Petr Sykora, have displayed an uncanny ability to generate offense from what looks like a dead play. Malkin and Crosby have combined for 28 points in nine games, meaning opponents have very little time off on shifts without feeling the pressure of clever playmakers.

Pittsburgh is 21-7 at home against good offensive teams scoring 2.85 or more goals a game in the second half of the season. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has showed the composure he lacked a season ago and is third in goals allowed in hockey’s second season at 1.76.

This will be a physical, demanding Eastern final, with the Pens having too many talented players and better goaltending.

Statfox Series Pick - Pittsburgh (-220) in six