The Philadelphia Flyers, spearheaded by Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, are ready to take the ice against Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, and the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in a divisional showdown. The game gets started at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 1, and fans at home are able to see it live on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
The Penguins (-185) are being chosen as the solid favorites over the Flyers (+160), and oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals (-125 for the over, +105 for the under).
Producing -12.2 units for moneyline bettors, Pittsburgh is 10-14 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 24 games this season, 10 have gone over the total, while another 10 have gone under and four have pushed. The team’s 5-7 SU at home this year.
The Penguins have converted on 24.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all penalties.
With a .924 save percentage and 24.5 saves per game, Casey DeSmith (6-9-3) has been the top option in goal for the Pens this season. If head coach Mike Sullivan decides to give him the evening off, however, Pittsburgh might go with Matt Murray (4-7-7 record, .877 save percentage, 4.08 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Philadelphia is 10-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 15 of its games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under the total and none have pushed. As the road team , the Flyers are 5-6 SU.
The Flyers have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 27th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 30th overall and it’s successfully killed off 70.9 percent of all penalties.
Brian Elliott (2.59 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Philadelphia. Elliott is averaging 25.0 saves per game and has seven wins and seven losses to his credit.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Philadelphia’s last five games.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Philadelphia skaters have given out the 10th-most hits in the league (23.3 per game) while the Pens have recorded the second-most (29.5).
