The Pittsburgh Penguins (2-3-0) and Philadelphia Flyers (3-2-0) meet in Game 6 of the NHL Playoffs tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. EDT at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Flyers are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-121o / -100u). The Flyers are a -120 favorite to win outright, while the Penguins are -100 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Penguins vs. Flyers predictions and NHL picks.
Penguins vs. Flyers Odds, Pick
| Penguins Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -255 | 5.5 -121o / -100u | -100 |
| Flyers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 5.5 -121o / -100u | -120 |
- Penguins vs. Flyers Spread: Flyers -1.5 (+205 ), Penguins +1.5 (-255)
- Penguins vs. Flyers Over/Under: 5.5 (-121o / -100u)
- Penguins vs. Flyers Moneyline: Penguins -100, Flyers -120
Penguins vs. Flyers Preview
Because the game is in Philadelphia, Flyers coach Rick Tocchet, who famously coached Sidney Crosby to two Cups as an assistant in Pittsburgh, holds the advantage of the final change.
Expect Tocchet to deploy his defensive stalwarts, Sean Couturier and Garnet Hathaway, specifically to shadow Crosby’s line.
While Crosby exploded for assists in Game 5, the Flyers successfully kept him pointless in Games 1 and 2 of this series. By utilizing defensive pairings like Travis Sanheim-Rasmus Ristolainen and the highly mobile Cam York-Jamie Drysdale tandem, Philly has the personnel to disrupt the passing lanes for Crosby’s wingers, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell.
Crosby is currently operating at a playmaking clip that is difficult to sustain against a stingy Flyers defense.
Crosby’s four assists in the last three games represent a significant portion of Pittsburgh’s total offense. As the series moves back to Wells Fargo Center, where the Flyers have been defensive stalwarts all season, the probability of a "clean sheet" for the Flyers' penalty kill and top defensive pairs rises significantly.
Penguins vs. Flyers Prediction
Crosby at 38 is still a force of nature, and his "look" in Game 5 suggests he’s far from done.
While betting against a legend like Sidney Crosby often feels like a fool's errand, the data for tonight’s Game 6 between the Penguins and Flyers suggests a high-probability under for the Pittsburgh captain.
PRO Projections have identified an 8.2% edge on Sidney Crosby Under 0.5 Assists (+100). At even money, this prop offers a unique opportunity to capitalize on a situational peak in Crosby’s production that our models expect to level off tonight in Philadelphia.
With Rick Tocchet holding the tactical advantage and the Flyers' top-tier defensive pairs rested and ready to stifle the Rust-Crosby-Rakell line, the smart money is on the under. Crosby may lead his team in effort, but Philly’s defensive structure is primed to snap his assist streak tonight.
Pick: Sidney Crosby Under 0.5 Assists (+100, DraftKings)
