The official end of the first half of the NFL season is almost upon us, with the NHL shutting down for the All-Star Break after the games played on Wednesday. It’s not a huge break, but it’s one where players can get to recharge the batteries a little and prepare for the playoff runs that will be made in the second half of the season. The next few days is when GM’s will decide whether to stand with the players they have or make a few moves to strengthen their team ahead of the playoffs.
With the trade deadline fast approaching, those decisions need to be made quickly, with the current standings certainly playing a role in any future moves. The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking good and finally getting healthy, but they still may want to add a piece or two given how hard they have been hit by the injury bug. The Flyers have a bigger decision to make, as they are still within reach of a playoff spot right now, but they need a spark. They will look to get one on Tuesday night when they host the Penguins.
Penguins vs Flyers 2020 NHL Lines & Game Preview
- When: Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: TD Garden, Boston
- TV: NBCSN
- NHL Lines: Pittsburgh Penguins -130 (Total 6)
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Penguins have been hit hard by the injury bug this season, with the loss of Sidney Crosby being the biggest hit of the bunch. Crosby is back in the lineup now and the Penguins have benefitted from his return, going 3-1-0 in the 4 games since he came back. Even before Crosby was healthy, the Penguins were on a great run of form.They have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games to go to 31-13-5 on the season. They have been slowly chipping away at the lead that the Washington Capitals have atop the Metropolitan Division and they now have it down to just 4 points. The Pens come into this one having won back to back games and are 13-8-2 on the road this season. Their last meeting with the Flyers was at home and ended in a 7-1 win.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.43
- Shots: 32.67
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.00
Defense
- Goals: 2.71
- Shots: 29.82
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.32
Why bet on the Philadelphia Flyers?
The Philadelphia Flyers come into this game on a run of form that has not been great and that has dropped them below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference. They are now sitting at 26-17-6 on the season after going 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. That gives them 58 points on the season and leaves them just a single point out of the #8 spot.
They do, though, need to get back to winning ways as soon as possible, as they do not want to start drifting too far off the pace. As mentioned earlier, the Flyers were hammered 7-1 when they visited Pittsburgh earlier this season, but they might well expect a better outcome at home, where they are 16-4-4.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.16
- Shots: 31.63
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.75
Defense
- Goals: 3.06
- Shots: 29.43
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.00
Penguins vs Flyers 2020 NHL Betting Trends
- Penguins are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 7 games played in January
- Flyers are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games against an opponent in the East conference
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Penguins vs Flyers
It’s easy to look at the earlier meeting between these two and immediately write off the Flyers, but Philly are a team that have been at their best on home ice this season. I am tempted to play them SU, but definitely like them ATS.Score: Pittsburgh Penguins 3 – Philadelphia Flyers 4
