The Philadelphia Flyers (1-0-0) and Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1-0) play for the second time in three days to open the 2021 NHL season at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Friday’s puck drop is set for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Flyers NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Penguins at Flyers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:46 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Penguins -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Flyers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Penguins +1.5 (-250) | Flyers -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under: 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Penguins at Flyers: Projected starting goalies
Casey DeSmith (2018-19 stats: 15-11-5, .916 SV%, 2.75) vs. Carter Hart (1-0-0, .912 SV%, 3.00 GAA)
DeSmith, 29, is back in the NHL to serve as the backup for Tristan Jarry, at least to begin the 2021 season. He spent all of last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL and went 18-18-2 with a .905 SV% and 2.92 GAA in 41 games played.
Hart stopped 31 of 34 shots on goal in Wednesday’s season-opener and will get the nod over Brian Elliott once again. The 22-year-old is en route to becoming one of the top netminders in the NHL and figures to start the lion’s share of his team’s 56-game schedule.
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Penguins at Flyers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Flyers 6, Penguins 2
Money line (ML)
The FLYERS (-110) are still getting a fine price following their 6-3 drubbing of the Penguins Wednesday. The high-profile matchup against a public betting favorite is making the odds more profitable than they should be, especially considering the lopsided goaltending matchup.
The Penguins outshot the Flyers 34-25 Wednesday, but Hart was up to the task and can again be the difference. Philly had goals from six different players and had quiet nights from C Claude Giroux (1 assist), C Sean Couturier (1 assist) and RW Jakub Voracek (0 points). Three of the Flyers’ most experienced players should get more involved in Game 2 against the Pens.
Against the spread (ATS)
The better play is with FLYERS -1.5 (+200) on the puck line. A Philly win by 2 or more goals will double up your investment.
There’s no reason to be trusting DeSmith, who is nearly two years removed from his last NHL game. Sloppy defense and mistake-filled play has been a common theme early in the 2021 season and DeSmith certainly isn’t a safety net for the Penguins.
Over/Under (O/U)
While it’s only one game, the Flyers and Penguins made it clear Wednesday their collective focus will be on offense this season, and both are plenty capable of outscoring the opposition more often than not. The mismatched goalie duel says Philly will be the side to do the bulk of the scoring Friday.
Hammer the OVER 6.5 (+100).
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