The rivalry between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins only figures to be even more intense when the teams open the NHL season on Wednesday at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers and Penguins, formerly Metropolitan Division foes, are part of the realigned East Division and will square off for the first of eight meetings in the NHL's condensed 56-game schedule. The puck will drop at 5:30 p.m. ET at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia returns nearly every player of consequence and is a trendy choice to win the powerful East, which features five of the top seven teams on points from last season. Philadelphia is being listed at -110 on the money line in the latest Flyers vs. Penguins odds from William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for total goals scored is set at six. Before making any Penguins vs. Flyers picks, check out the NHL predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.
This model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times, taking into account factors like current form, individual matchups, injuries and short- and long-term trends when making NHL picks. The model seeks the best values on the money line, puck line and total.
Now, the model has set its sights on Penguins vs. Flyers. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are the latest NHL odds from William Hill and trends for Flyers vs. Penguins:
- Flyers vs. Penguins money line: Flyers -110, Penguins -110
- Flyers vs. Penguins puck line: Flyers -1.5
- Flyers vs. Penguins over-under: 6 goals
- PHI: G Carter Hart posted a 9-1-1 record against division opponents last season.
- PIT: G Tristan Jarry allowed nine goals in splitting two starts vs. Flyers last season.
Why you should back the Flyers
Philadelphia was an NHL-best 25-6-4 at home last season, establishing league highs in victories and points (54). The biggest reason for that success was the stellar play of 22-year-old Carter Hart, the youngest goaltender to make at least 20 starts last season. He compiled a 24-13-3 record and 2.42 goals-against average overall last season, but posted a staggering 20-3-2 mark, 1.63 GAA and .943 save percentage at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Flyers labored to score in last season's playoffs, producing only 27 goals in 13 games. The return of Swedish forward Oskar Lindblom should provide both an inspirational and offensive boost after he missed the majority of last season while undergoing surgery and treatment for bone cancer. Lindblom, who led the team in goals with 11 at the time of his diagnosis, is expected to skate on the top line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny.
Why you should back the Penguins
Pittsburgh was decimated by injuries last season, with its three leading scorers -- Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and superstar captain Sidney Crosby -- each missing at least 27 games. Centers Crosby and Malkin are among the league's most lethal offensive duo, guiding the Penguins to three Stanley Cup championships. Both players have feasted on the Flyers in their careers, with Crosby averaging 1.5 points and Malkin 1.25 per game.
In addition to the aforementioned trio, top-line winger Jake Guentzel, a 40-goal scorer in 2018-19, is also healthy after missing more than half of last season due to a shoulder injury. Pittsburgh made some offseason moves to improve its team speed, which played a pivotal role in its consecutive Cup-winning seasons in 2016 and 2017. The Penguins aren't lacking for incentive after they were humbled in falling to the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round of last season's playoffs.
How to make Penguins vs. Flyers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, with the simulations only giving two players more than a 40 percent of scoring a goal. It also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Flyers vs. Penguins? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Flyers vs. Penguins money line to jump on Wednesday, all from the advanced model that has simulated this matchup 10,000 times.
