Penguins vs Flyers: Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

The Pennsylvanian rivalry may be more of a squash match as the Pittsburgh Penguins, heavily favored on the NHL odds, take on the shorthanded Philadelphia Flyers. Looking through the latest news, stats, and injury reports, the Flyers are missing a contingent of their best players as they are unlikely to stop Pittsburgh’s nine-game winning streak.

Pittsburgh Penguins (19-8-5) vs Philadelphia Flyers (13-14-6)

Flyers Need Heart and Hart

Carter Hart isn’t impressed with the NHL’s COVID policies. But here he is, the main man the team is leaning on as he continues his career renaissance. Martin Jones, his backup, has fallen off, but Hart is still having his best season, posting a career-best scoring chance save percentage and beating his career averages in other statistics.

Medical update: Flyers forward Claude Giroux, defenseman Ivan Provorov and one staff member have been placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 4, 2022

For the skaters, they will need to come together to replace the production from their missing teammates, who account for almost half of the goals the team has scored. Among those missing are leading scorer Claude Giroux and top defenseman Ivan Provorov.

Philadelphia’s power play has already struggled and the team is usually getting outplayed on 5v5. If it wasn’t for Hart’s (and sometimes Jones’) brilliant netminding, the Flyers would be joining the Islanders at the bottom of the division.

Mighty Penguins

The Penguins handled business against the St. Louis Blues to stay unbeaten, now having won nine straight games. What’s more impressive is how they’re also killing it on the puck line during this span, going 5-3 as a favorite and 6-3 overall.

A secret to Pittsburgh’s success is its reinvigorated power play. The Penguins were last in the league in power-play percentage, but in their last nine, Pittsburgh has converted at 25.9 percent, which is at least above average. The boost on special teams has re-ignited Pittsburgh’s offense and the Penguins have averaged the second-most goals in this span.

With everything clicking in Pittsburgh right now, its online sports betting odds are juiced. But it would be tough to bet against them.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Head to Head

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Game Information

• Date: Thursday
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Wells Fargo Center
• Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Live Stream: NHL Live

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Betting Lines

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction

Pittsburgh should dominate the Flyers here. But betting online at the current moneyline odds is done better if parlayed. Alternatively, the puck line is still at +110 and holds weight with Pittsburgh’s 9-6 record on the road (8-2 in its last 10).

It will mostly be Hart looking to stiff the Penguins, who own the Flyers’ skaters, particularly on special teams. Sidney Crosby has 49 goals and 115 points in 77 career games against Philadelphia. Bet a prop on him to add to his tally as Pittsburgh skates away with a win.

Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -1½ goals (+110)

There is a good chance of a Pittsburgh blowout here, while eight of the last 10 meetings between these rivals have produced ‘overs’ on the totals. We’re confident Pittsburgh can cover on its end, producing two or three goals at least. But we’re not sold that Philadelphia can score enough to warrant betting the over.

Pick: Under 6 (-105)

Parlay: Penguins -1½ and Under 6 (+310)