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Flyers vs. Penguins Betting Pick and Prediction (March 2, 2021)
By Russ Joy
Published:
On Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins for the first of three games the teams will play against one another in Pittsburgh. The Flyers (11-4-3) are two points ahead of the Penguins (11-8-1) in the standings with two games in hand. The Flyers won each of the first two meetings between these teams to start the year, but tonight’s game will mark the first game between the Flyers and Penguins in Pittsburgh this season.
Let’s get into our Flyers-Penguins betting pick with player prop predictions, odds and analysis for this March 2, 2021 matchup.
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SPORTSBOOK
Flyers vs. Penguins Betting Pick (March 2, 2021)
The Battle of the Keystone State will play out over three games in five nights as the Philadelphia Flyers travel to Pittsburgh to take on the rival Penguins. The first two matchups between these teams, both of which took place in Philadelphia, saw the Flyers outscore the Pens 11-5.
The Flyers are riding high entering play on a three-game winning streak with back-to-back shutout victories over the Buffalo Sabres fresh in their minds. More importantly for the Orange & Black is the healthy team they’re able to put out on the ice. Travis Konecny, the team’s leading goalscorer from a season ago, is expected to rejoin the lineup as Philadelphia enters play with no players remaining on the NHL’s COVID Protocol list.
The Penguins are coming off a shutout loss to the New York Islanders, but are a respectable 4-2-0 over their last six games. Sidney Crosby has led the way thus far this season, racking up 18 points (7G, 11A), but will miss at least Tuesday night’s contest due to entering COVID Protocol this morning. It’s worth noting that the Penguins did not hold a morning skate as per league policy since a player entered COVID Protocol.
Flyers vs. Penguins Odds
Here’s the line for the Flyers and Penguins at DraftKings Sportsbook PA:
- Spread: Flyers +1.5 (-286), Penguins -1.5 (+225)
- Moneyline: Flyers -106, Penguins -109
- Over/Under: O 6.5 +102, U 6.5 -124
Bets We Like With a Flyers Win
Money Puck gives the Flyers just a 61.6% chance of winning this game. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s implied win probability based on the moneyline is a true tossup at 50%.
Flyers Win and Over 5.5 Goals (+210, BetMGM)
Philadelphia is an astounding 11-1-1 this season against teams from the East Division not named the Boston Bruins. In fact, they haven’t lost a regulation game to a team other than Boston since January 18. Sidney Crosby, the personification of the Flyers’ kryptonite, will miss this contest due to entering the NHL’s COVID Protocol. The final result should favor the Orange & Black.
As for parlaying over 5.5 total goals, it’s worth looking at the matchups between the teams earlier this year. In two home games, Philadelphia combined to outscore Pittsburgh 11-5, including results of 6-3 in the season opener and 5-2 in the second matchup two days later. In fact, in eight of the teams’ last 11 meetings in the regular season, the total goals have gone over 5.5.
James van Riemsdyk to Score a Goal and Flyers to Win (+400, FOX Bet)
James van Riemsdyk has been on a tear this season, racking up 25 points (10G, 15A) in 18 games. He’s been especially impressive as of late finding the back of the net in three of his last four games and five of his last seven games overall. Now that Philadelphia has their full squad back off the NHL’s COVID Protocol list, teams like the Penguins can’t simply hone in on the white-hot van Riemsdyk like they could a week ago.
With Pittsburgh likely chasing this game early as they try to make up for Crosby’s absence, don’t be surprised to see JVR get plenty of opportunities on the power play, where he’s scored two goals in his last four games. If you’re looking for a player market to parlay with the Flyers’ moneyline, this one is worth a flier.
Bets We Like With a Penguins Win
Jake Guentzel to Score a Goal and Penguins to Win (+300, FOX Bet)
Where will Pittsburgh look for goals with their leading points man Sidney Crosby out? Jake Guentzel is the most likely answer. His seven goals through 20 games match Crosby’s, while he’s scored a higher percentage of his goals at even strength.
A season ago, Guentzel found the back of the net against Philadelphia in his lone game against Pittsburgh’s cross-state rival. He’s been a near point-per-game player against the Flyers, recording 12 points in 13 career games against the Orange & Black. If there’s a player to watch for the Pens tonight, it’s Guentzel, who will likely see plenty of opportunities on the power play with Crosby out of action.
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SPORTSBOOK
Bets We Like Independent of Outcome
Both Teams to Score 1+ Goals in the First Period (+200, BetMGM)
This Lion’s Boost from the folks at BetMGM is one worth checking out. Although Pittsburgh has failed to score a first period goal in each of their last three games, the Flyers have done so in five of their last six games. If the two games between the teams this season are any indication of what could unfold this evening, we could be in for a wide-open first period with plenty of scoring opportunities.
In the Flyers’ 6-3 victory in the season opener, Philadelphia found the back of the net twice in the opening period, while Pittsburgh scored a goal of their own. In the second matchup, the first period scoring ratcheted up with the Flyers netting three goals and the Pens doing so twice.
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Flyers vs. Penguins Prediction
Pick: The loss of Sidney Crosby should loom large in this one, but his absence doesn’t change our prediction for the outcome in this one. Take the Flyers to Win and Over 5.5 Goals. Also, consider getting in on the Flyers and Penguins to each score 1+ goal in the first period.
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Russ Joy hosts The Russ Joy Show, Snow The Goalie: A Flyers Podcast, and It's Just Wrestling Podcast. He's blogged about Philly sports on Crossing Broad since before the Eagles won a Super Bowl. A graduate of West Chester University of PA and California University of PA, Russ is also a husband and father of four. Follow him on Twitter: @JoyOnBroad