Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Flyers vs Penguins NHL Odds
Looking for Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Flyers taking on the Penguins on Thursday March 4th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Flyers Penguins matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
(11-5-3) Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (12-8-1)
Date: Thursday, March 4th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh PA
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Flyers -125| Penguins +105
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Flyers -1.5(+190)
NHL Betting Total: 6
There’s great value on the Penguins at home as underdogs against rival Philadelphia on Thursday. Pittsburgh won this matchup 5-2 on Tuesday, but will also be shorthanded with Sidney Crosby into COVID protocol.
The home team usually wins in this matchup, at least in the last six games. Can the Flyers buck that trend, as they had won three straight prior to the loss at PPG Paints Arena last time out. Oddsmakers are also expecting some scoring.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers had no answer for the Pittsburgh offense on Tuesday, giving up three straight goals in the 2nd period that all but sealed things. Joel Farabee did have two goals, but they weren’t nearly enough for the way the Flyers defense was playing.
Philadelphia has a great offense (4th in scoring) but they’re vulnerable every game because of that defense. The Flyers rank 29th in SOG against, and are 28th in the penalty kill. Carter Hart is having his worst year in goal of the three he’s been in the league.
Is Hart a problem instead of an asset? The 22-year-old has a 3.49 GAA on the year, and just a .893 save percentage. That GAA is 46th in the league, and the save percentage 26th.
For all the issues their top goaltender is having this season, the Flyers are still 4th in the East. Both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have 25 points on the season so Thursday’s game really is a toss-up.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins did just fine without Sidney Crosby on Tuesday, dominating the Flyers after dropping two in Philadelphia earlier this season. Kasperi Kapanen stepped up in a big way with two goals.
Pittsburgh attacked Philadelphia’s goaltender Hart, hitting on 5 of their 27 SOG. Hart had a SO against Buffalo on February 28th, but otherwise has allowed 4+ goals in 4 of the last 6. If Hart gets the nod, the over 6 looks great.
The Penguins are very mediocre on both ends of the ice this season despite being just 3 points out of 2nd place in the East. Pittsburgh ranks 19th in goals scored, but 27th in goals against proving they may be actually less than mediocre.
One thing that’s concerning is that Tristan Jarry had to face 42 shots in the win over the Flyers on Tuesday. Granted he stopped 40 of them, but Pittsburgh is usually good in that aspect, allowing only 29 SOG on average.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Flyers are 21-7 last 28 as a road favorite
- Flyers are 5-2 last 7 road games
- Over is 7-3-1 in Flyers last 11 road games
- Penguins are 5-2 last 7 overall
- Home team is 6-0 last 6 meetings
Free Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Prediction:
Does Philadelphia turn to Brian Elliott in this one? Hart is their main guy, but there has to be a goaltender controversy brewing as Elliott has a 2.03 GAA and .931 save percentage on the season.
Even if the Flyers go to their backup, he hasn’t played since February 27th, albeit a shutout against Buffalo. It still just comes down to the Penguins being the team with the value here.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Penguins +105
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