The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins will meet in the postseason for the first time since 2018.
The Penguins, who won that first-round series in six games, are also the hockey odds favourites at the BetMGM online sportsbook to advance this time around.
With two contrasting styles set to square off, I’m weighing in on which Metropolitan rival will progress.
Penguins vs. Flyers Odds, Spread, Over/Under
Penguins vs. Flyers Prediction: NHL Playoff Preview
The Penguins have been one of the best offensive teams throughout the season, scoring the third-most goals per game (3.52). They created the sixth-most expected goals and the sixth-most goals above expected (16.95).
While I’m not concerned with their offensive proficiency, the Pens will face a Flyers team that has allowed the second-fewest goals against (2.00), tied with the St. Louis Blues, since Feb. 26.
The Flyers have been superb in every phase, which their second-best points percentage (.729) reflects. Only the Buffalo Sabres (17-4-2) have a better record than the Flyers’ (17-6-1) in that sample size.
The Pens, meanwhile, are more porous defensively than a row of uncovered manholes, allowing the sixth-most goals per game (3.56) in the same span.
They haven’t been much better since Sidney Crosby returned from injury, with a 7-6-1 record while allowing the third-most goals per game (4.07) since March 18.
I’m also gravely concerned by their league-worst .343 points percentage in one-goal games and one-two punch of Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, which I discuss more below.
Penguins vs. Flyers Season Series
The Pens were 2-1-1 against the Flyers in the regular season. However, the Flyers won the last matchup, 4-3 in a shootout on March 8.
The Pens outscored the Flyers 16-11 and won one of two at PPG Paints Arena.
Penguins vs. Flyers Season Stats
| Team | Goals For | Goals Against | Power Play % | Penalty Kill % | 1-Goal Game Record | Home Record | Away Record |
| Penguins | 3.52 | 3.1 | 24.3 | 81.6 | 12-7-16 | 20-13-8 | 21-11-8 |
| Flyers | 3.27 | 2.93 | 15.7 | 77.3 | 17-5-12 | 19-13-8 | 23-14-4 |
Penguins vs. Flyers: Who’s Hot, Who’s Not
Dan Vladar is one of the main reasons the Flyers punched their postseason ticket for the first time in six years.
He is 9-3-1 with a .913 save percentage, 2.14 goals-against average (GAA) since March 12. He allowed two goals or fewer in nine of those 13 starts.
The same cannot be said for Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs, both of whom are struggling.
Skinner is 4-5-4 with a .888 save percentage and 3.10 GAA, and Silovs is 7-4-0 with a .864 save percentage and 3.49 GAA since Feb. 27.
Sidney Crosby scored 15 points in the 12 games since returning from injury on March 18, and Trevor Zegras has 13 points in his last 13 games.
Penguins vs. Flyers Best Bets
Thanks to entering the playoffs on one of the best runs and despite having the longest Stanley Cup odds and far less playoff experience (218 games compared to the Pens’ 1,102), I’m backing the Flyers to get past the Penguins in six games (+135).
I also like Philly to be up 2-1 after three games (+165).
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