Two teams that split their season series (two games apiece) a year ago, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins meet at PPG Paints Arena in a divisional matchup. The action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 27, and it’s being shown live on Sportsnet.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins are 12-13 straight up (SU) and have lost 4.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last years regular season campaign. Among its 25 games this season, 14 have gone over the total, while 11 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the teams 7-3 SU at home.
Pittsburgh currently has the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it has scored on 26.6 percent of their extra-man advantages this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 25th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 76.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Pittsburgh has been penalized 4.8 times per game overall this season, and 4.0 per game over its last five at home. The teams had to stave off opposition power plays for just 8.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 26.9 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Matt Murray (11-9-1) has been the top option in goal for the Penguins this year. If the Pens choose to give him the night off, however, head coach Mike Sullivan could roll with Tristan Jarry (1-2-2 record, .918 save percentage, 2.57 goals against average).
The Pens will continue to lean on the offensive production from Phil Kessel and Sidney Crosby. Kessel (31 points) has tallied 11 goals and 20 assists and has recorded multiple points seven times this year. Crosby has nine goals and 13 assists to his name and has notched a point in 14 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Philadelphia is 8-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 12 of its matches have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the visiting team so far, Philadelphia is 4-7 SU.
Philadelphia has converted on 18.9 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Philadelphia’s players have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their past five games. The team has been forced to kill penalties 11.2 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Brian Elliott (.905 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 26.4 saves per game and owns a 6-11-5 record.
For the visiting Flyers, the offense will be coordinated by Jakub Voracek (seven goals, 22 assists) and Sean Couturier (13 goals, 12 assists).
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
- Two teams that fire the puck on goal a lot, Philadelphia has taken the leagues 10th-most shots on goal (33.0) while Pittsburgh has attempted the fourth-most (35.0).
- The Flyers are 1-5 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 4-6 when they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
- Pittsburgh skaters have created 4.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 5.9 takeaways per game (ranked 26th in the NHL).
- Philadelphia has given up 3.7 goals per game (while managing just 2.1 goals per contest) over its last seven games (0-7 SU over that span).
- Philadelphia is ranked 28th overall with 5.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher recently, as the team has managed 6.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.8 takeaways over its last five.
