Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers Latest Odds, Picks and Betting Analysis (May 4, 2021)

Fashion how the Penguins were going nowhere fast in February.  Team President Jim Rutherford was out of answers and resigned.  His departure created a surprise opening.  Namely, Brian Burke took over as president and Ron Hextall as the general manager.  This new blood rejuvenated a team written off for dead.  Since Burke and Hextall arrived, the Penguins have been a top NHL betting value.  Pittsburgh leads a loaded East Division.  One year ago, the Flyers were top seed in the Eastern Conference.  This season they are utterly discredited. Philadelphia’s defensive collapse is shocking. Coach Alain Vigneault is without solutions.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers CashBet Wagering Analysis

On this occasion, the Penguins will draw the vast majority of sportsbook odds handle.  Philadelphia is a difficult sell.  Indeed, the Flyers look like a team that has packed it in.  Pittsburgh is coming off a two-game sweep of Washington.  It follows that the Penguins lead the East Division race.

Penguins Flourish Under New Management  

Pittsburgh is cranking cash with six wins in seven games.  Only one of their most recent six matchups cleared the total.  Now the Penguins are 34-15-3 and 14-11-1 on the road.  So too is Pittsburgh 25-24 over the number.  NHL metrics show Pittsburgh 3^rd for goal scoring and 10^th for power-play efficiency.  Defensively the Penguins are 14^th for goals allowed and 25^th for penalty killing.  Hence the Penguins are the ultimate betting on NHL turnaround story for 2021.

First among scorers for the Penguins is Sidney Crosby.  Sid the Kid has 20 goals, 36 assists, and a plus-10.  Goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith are both over .912 for save percentage.

Flyers Take Two Steps Back After One Step Forward in 2020

Philadelphia looks like a team that has thrown in the towel.  Consider that the Flyers dropped six of their most recent eight games.  Three of their last four games cleared the total.  Philadelphia stands at 22-22-7 and a disappointing 10-11-4 at home.  Further, the Flyers are 32-19 over the total.  Philadelphia ranks 16^th for goal scoring and 20^th for power-play efficiency.  Correspondingly the Flyers are 32^nd for goals against and 31^st for penalty killing.

Last year coach Alain Vigneault arrived as the new Flyers coach.  Vigneault brought one of the best pro hockey betting resumes of any coach in the game.  First seed at the 2020 NHL Bubble was a major accomplishment.  And cause for optimism for 2021.  Goaltender Carter Hart flourished in 2020.  And was touted as the best Flyers goalie since Bernie Parent.  Instead, Hart has had a terrible season.  But it’s not all his fault. Philadelphia’s defense has left its netminder out to dry.  Subsequently, Hart is out for the rest of the season with a knee sprain.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers Against the Spread

Overall, Pittsburgh is 6-1 in their last seven away games.  Only one of their last four road tilts went over the hockey betting total.  Philadelphia is 2-5 in their most recent seven home games.  While three of the Flyers’ previous five home games cleared the total.

On the whole, Philadelphia is 4-2 in their last six meetings with the Penguins.  Six of the previous seven between the Pens and Flyers went over the total.  Pittsburgh has lost four in a row at Philadelphia.  And then the Pens and Flyers are 3-1 over the total at Wells Fargo Center.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers CashBet Free Pick  

In this situation, the Penguins are peaking as Philadelphia has quit.  Pittsburgh is a top-tier NHL gambling favorite for the Stanley Cup.  Meanwhile, the Flyers will limp into the offseason as a damaged brand.  Many gamblers bet the come on Philadelphia and went bust.

Penguins at Flyers CashBet Best Bet: 

Pittsburgh Penguins