Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all the NHL’s games. In tonight’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Philadelphia Flyers in a rivalry matchup. The Penguins look to rebound from a dreadful weekend following the Four Nations Face-Off. Meanwhile, the Flyers look to build some momentum while developing their young rebuilding squad.
Head-to-Head: Penguins 1-1 Flyers
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia; AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh; ESPN+
This is the third game between these long-time rivals this season. The Penguins took the first game 7-3, before the Flyers beat the Penguins 3-2 earlier in February.
Pittsburgh has a record of 23-27-9 which has them sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference. Just four points ahead of the Buffalo Sabres for last. Coming off a three-game losing streak, Sidney Crosby will be looking to lead his team out of this slump.
Crosby has 60 points in 57 games to lead the team. Following a great international performance as captain of Team Canada, the legendary captain continues his pursuit of his 20th straight point per game season. Expect offence from Crosby’s line with Rickard Rakell continuing to stay hot, scoring 49 points in 58 games so far this season.
The Philadelphia Flyers have had a mediocre season, with a record of 25-26-7. Looking to develop their young group, Head Coach John Tortorella has had his hands full coaching the third-last ranked team in the Eastern Conference.
Star forward Travis Konecny leads the squad with 62 points in 58 games. Behind him, rookie sensation Matvei Michkov has scored 17 goals with 39 points in 56 games. Michkov has been the focal point of this season for Philadelphia. As the future of the team, expect the Penguins to crack down hard on his play.
While both teams have been struggling, the Penguins are just flat-out bad at the moment. While Philadelphia has had a similarly bad season, they’ll be playing their rivals on home ice coming off two straight wins. Expect them to make it three.
NHL Prediction: Flyers win 5-2.
Total Goals Over 6 (-102) – With the Penguins struggling to play defence and Sidney Crosby determined to keep up his stellar play, another high-scoring game may not be too farfetched.
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Main Photo: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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