It’s been a while since the Pittsburgh Penguins have defeated the Philadelphia Flyers. In fact, the Pens are 0-8 in eight matchups with Philly dating back to 2013. Will tonight be the end of Philadelphia’s domination over the Penguins? Or will the Flyers make in nine in a row over Sidney Crosby and pals?
[sc:NHL250 ]Read on for a breakdown of this matchup. You can also check out our preview of tonight’s NBA matchup between the Spurs and the Suns here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh
When: Thursday, January 21, 2016 7:00 PM ET
Line: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: CSN (Local: PHI)/ ROOT (Local: PIT)
Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers (20-16-8, 48 pts)
[sc:NHL240 ]The Flyers (and their offense) are cooling down following a recent four-game win streak. With two losses over their past three outings, the Flyers look to beat rival Pittsburgh in the first of four meetings this regular season later tonight in Consol Energy Center, where Philadelphia has a strong 5-0 record in its last five games dating back to 2013.
Philly’s offense returned to its anemic ways in a recent three-game stretch in which the Flyers scored just five total goals, including a pair in a 3-2 home loss to Toronto on Tuesday. Thus far this season, the Flyers are third-last in the league in scoring with 2.23 goals for per game. Even with the Flyers’ lack of firepower, the Flyers remain in playoff contention thanks to their decent defense that ranks 13th in the NHL with 2.6 goals per game allowed per contest.
Steve Mason is likely to start later tonight in Pittsburgh. Mason has a 10-6-2 record, a .932 save percentage, and a 2.21 goals against average in 20 career appearances against the Penguins. Mason allowed three goals on 35 shots faced in the Toronto game.
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Betting on the Pittsburgh Penguins (21-17-7, 49 pts)
Speaking of firepower, the Penguins have lots of it. Getting those guns firing consistently, however, is a different matter for Pittsburgh, who’s averaging just 2.4 goals per game despite its talent glut.
After unloading one goal after another in a 5-0 win at home against Carolina on Sunday, the Penguins’ offense went back to its shell in a 5-2 road loss to St. Louis on Monday. That may be attributed to fatigue, however, as the Pens had to take the road right after the Carolina match.
Coming off a full two-day rest, the Penguins won’t have that alibi should their offense fail to show up again later tonight against the Flyers.
Sidney Crosby has been playing like Sidney Crosby again after a slow start to the season. In 16 games under new coach Mike Sullivan, Crosby has managed to produce eight goals and 10 assists. Against St. Louis, Crosby had an assists to give him two goals and two assists in the past three games.
Crosby, who is second to Evgeni Malkin on the team with six power play goals, must be able to puncture Philadelphia’s sputtering penalty kill, one that’s just 27th in the league with a 15.7 percent success rate. On the flipside, the Penguins are 12th on the man advantage with 18.7% conversion.
Malkin tops the team in goals (20), assists (24), and power play goals (9).
Pittsburgh, which allows 2.4 goals per game, is 3-2 in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Pittsburgh wins, 4-2.
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