- What: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers
- When: Monday, December 4th, 7 PM EST
- Where: Wells Fargo Center
It's the battle of Pennslyvania on Monday evening as the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Philadelphia Flyers in Metropolitan Division action. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7 PM EST at Wells Fargo Center. This is the second straight meeting between the two, with the Flyers beating the Pens 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday at PPG Paints Arena thanks to Sean Couturier's winner. Just two points separate Philly and Pittsburgh in the standings, too. Below, find the Penguins vs Flyers picks.
Before we get into the odds and preview, make sure to check out our online sportsbook reviews, and the top NHL betting sites.
Penguins vs Flyers Odds
The Penguins are the favorite here at -130 odds while the Flyers return at +116. The total in goals is set at 6.5 as well. Pittsburgh swept the season series in 2022-23 and has won nine of the last 14 against Philadelphia.
Pittsburgh Needs More Scoring
The Pens haven't been a force in the Eastern Conference for several years now and have struggled this season. They're just a game above .500 at 11-10-2, which puts them in sixth place in the Metropolitan. Pittsburgh is also just 4-4-2 in their last 10 outings. While the blue line has been rock solid allowing only 2.61 goals per game, scoring is an issue. The Penguins are putting away only 3.13 goals per game, which ranks 18th in the NHL.
Honestly, outside of Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, there isn't a ton of production. The two legends have combined for 24 goals and 22 assists. Bryan Rust is the only other double-digit scorer with 10 goals. Although Malkin and Crosby are fantastic players, they shouldn't be having to carry the load at this point in their careers. Others have to step up.
Saturday's loss to Philly was a heartbreaker. Both teams traded blows in the second and third periods, with Jake Guentzel scoring twice while Kris Letang scored the other. But after a non-eventful OT period, a shootout was needed and the Flyers got it done. A loss to a divisional rival isn't ideal, but the Pens did beat the Maple Leafs and the Lightning not long ago, two very good teams. That goes to show Pittsburgh is no pushover and can be a contender if they find some more consistency, especially in front of goal. Revenge will surely be on their minds on Monday after dropping such a tough contest to Philadelphia.
Flyers in Good Shape
Philadelphia is playing some quality hockey at the moment. They've gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, even beating the Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes during that span. Overall, the Flyers own a 12-10-2 record and sit in fifth place in the division. Similar to Pittsburgh, their struggles are also in front of the net.
John Tortorella's squad is 22nd in the league with a mere 2.92 goals per contest while allowing 2.88. That part is great, but there's just not enough production on the opposite end. For example, Travis Konecny is the only double-digit scorer on the roster with 12 goals to go along with six assists. Elsewhere, Joel Farabee, Owen Tippett, and Cam Atkinson all have eight goals apiece. Travis Sanheim meanwhile has a team-best 14 assists.
The victory over the Penguins ended a short two-game skid for the Flyers. Tippett, Scott Laughton, and Tyson Foerster all got on the scoresheet here before Couturier sealed the deal in the shootout. Even though it's early in the season, these rivalry games are always important ones because of the history. That's exactly why Philly will be hungry to grab another win, especially being at home, where they have a 5-6-1 record.
Penguins vs Flyers Picks
Before Saturday's loss, the Penguins won seven of eight against the Flyers. I do expect them to respond in a positive manner. It's also important to note that Pittsburgh has a 6-4-1 record on the road while Philadelphia is below .500 at Wells Fargo. Take the moneyline. Also, if you're looking for another bet as well, taking the under isn't a bad move given the inconsistent offense on both sides. Something to keep in mind.
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