NHL Predictions: March 7th, Philadelpha Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins host rival Philadelphia Flyers in a Pennsylvanian clash. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey. Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, the Penguins host the Flyers in a heated rivalry game. 

NHL Predictions featuring the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, NHL Centre Ice, SN-PIT, NBCSP, ESPN+ 

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Penguins Story

Pittsburgh comes into this game following a 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. With the loss, the Penguins have lost two straight and are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Following a quiet trade deadline that simply saw Pittsburgh move out a third-round pick for forward Elmer Soderblom from the Detroit Red Wings, the Penguins will be without captain Sidney Crosby and franchise star Evgeni Malkin for the next few games. While Crosby is out with an injury, Malkin was suspended five games for his slash against Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin on Thursday night. 

In the absence of the Penguins’ top two forwards, rookie Benjamin Kindel will need to fill in in their stead. The 18-year-old rookie drafted 11th overall just last June has quickly risen up the depth chart with these absences and will likely play (near) top-line centre minutes for the Penguins as they battle for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. Kindel has appeared in 58 games, scoring 15 goals and 30 points while playing second-unit power play and penalty kill time. Defencemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang will also need to step up offensively. Karlsson has five goals and 39 points in 56 games, while Letang has three goals and 27 points in 55 games. 

Expect Stuart Skinner to appear in the net for the Penguins. After being acquired in the Tristan Jarry deal earlier in the season, there were rumours that Skinner could be on his way out as a pending free agent. He is 8-5-2 with an .893 save percentage. Now is a good time to remind you that it’s always a good idea to confirm official lineups via social media prior to placing any bets. 

Flyers Story

This has been an up-and-down season for the Philadelphia Flyers. Coming into the season, they were expected to be a bottom-of-the-league type of team, likely looking at a top-five pick in the draft and potentially a lottery win. However, a hot first half of the season quelled those thoughts, as it began looking like the Philadelphia Flyers may have been a playoff team. The last couple of months of the season, however, have put a stop to that. The Flyers are 28-22-11 on the season. They sit six points out of a Eastern Conference Playoff Wild Ward spot, but 11 points up on the last-place New York Rangers in the East. Unfortunately for Flyers fans, it seems as though Philadelphia will once again be a team in the middle of the league this year. 

There have, however, been bright spots for the Flyers this season. The biggest of which is probably Trevor Zegras. Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks prior to the beginning of the season, Zegras has scored 21 goals and 50 points this season in 61 games. He’s established himself as a top-six centre, potentially developing into a top-line centre for the Flyers. While Zegras has been a bright spot, another young player for the Flyers has been a source of controversy. Matvei Michkov, coming off a 63-point rookie season, has struggled this year. In 60 games, he’s scored just 15 goals and 31 points. He’ll need to be better against Pittsburgh and in general for the rest of the season. Philadelphia is led in scoring by long-time Flyer Travis Konecny. Konecny has scored 23 goals and 57 points in 58 games. 

Expect Dan Vladar to get the start in net. The 28-year-old goaltender may have found a home in Philadelphia. Appearing in 37 games, Vladar has gone 19-10-6 this season with a career-high .908 save percentage. 

Prediction

Even without Crosby and Malkin, the Pittsburgh Penguins will play hard, battling for their playoff lives. Expect the Penguins to come out hot on home ice against their biggest rivals and get a victory in this game. 

Prediction: Penguins win 3-1

Prop Bet of the Night

Pittsburgh has been playing low-event, low-scoring hockey as of late. Expect them to continue to play a tight game in which a popular prop bet of goals under five with odds of +210 is a good bet. 

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