Two teams who truly hate each other do battle tonight, April 15, as the Pittsburgh Penguins get set to host the Philadelphia Flyers for round one of the 2009 NHL Playoffs. They’ve never liked each other since the moment they entered the NHL together as expansion teams in 1967, and they almost certainly never will. The Flyers were responsible for knocking two teeth out of Crosby's face last year. This is the second season in a row that these two have met. The Penguins lead the Flyers 4-2 this season. NHL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Penguins as -160 moneyline favs over the Flyers (+140) with the over/under set at 6 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com
The Flyers can kick only themselves for opening on the road; their Sunday loss to the Rangers resulted in Pittsburgh being seeded fourth and the Flyers fifth in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers were 11-10-2 down the stretch. Goalie Martin Biron is 6-4 in his last ten games with a 3.20 GAA. Last year when these two met the Flyers had top players out with injuries, injuries sidelined Simon Gagne, defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn which resulted in the Flyers being outscored 9-20. To counter Pittsburgh's considerable skill, the Flyers must find scoring throughout a lineup that has six players with 25 or more goals, led by Jeff Carter with 46. They must be at their agitating, feisty best to keep the Malkin and Crosby lines off balance; Kimmo Timonen and two-way center Mike Richards are keys to that. So is goalie Martin Biron, who was 29-19-5 this season. The Flyers are 2-3 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged 2.80 GAG and allowed 2.80 GAG.
The Penguins believe they're positioned to make another extended run. With two of the NHL's top three scorers in Evgeni Malkin and Crosby, plus plenty of momentum from their late-season surge they think they have what it takes. They’ve won four of six meetings against the Flyers and outscored them 17-9. The Pens will want to constantly pressure the puck, rolling three productive lines led by Malkin, Crosby and Jordan Staal and get more strong play from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who is 16-3-3 since Feb. 19. Crosby has 20 goals and 26 assists in 26 games against Philadelphia, and Malkin has 13 goals and 18 assists in 21 games. The Pens are 4-1 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 3.80 GAG and allowed 1.60 GAG.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Pittsburgh.
- Home team is 14-4 in the last 18 meetings.
- Over is 20-7-1 in the last 28 meetings.
- Favorite is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings.
- Flyers are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings.
- Flyers are 3-13 in the last 16 meetings in Pittsburgh.
2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction
When: Wed, April 15, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
Pick: Flyers +140
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction
The Bottom Line: I have faith in the Flyers with their gritty play and take no prisoners attitude. Go Flyers! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Philadelphia Flyers Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 60% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!
