Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers NHL odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (5-3-1) finish up their two-game road set against the New York Rangers (2-4-2) at Madison Square Garden Monday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Rangers NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Penguins at Rangers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:26 a.m. ET.

Money line: Penguins -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Penguins +1.5 (-300) | Rangers -1.5 (+230)
Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Penguins at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Tristan Jarry (2-3-1, 3.92 GAA, .859 SV%) at Igor Shesterkin (1-2-1, 2.73 GAA, .894 SV%)

Jarry should be back in the crease for the back end of this two-game set. G Casey DeSmith got the starting nod in Saturday’s 5-4 overtime victory, moving to 3-0-0. Head coach Mike Sullivan has been giving Jarry the benefit of the doubt and letting him work through his struggles on a regular basis. Jarry has just two wins so far this season, and both are against the Rangers.

Shesterkin picked up a 3-2 win in overtime at the Buffalo Sabres Thursday. While he has just that one win to his name so far, he has a respectable 2.73 GAA overall. He was on the short end of a pair of one-goal losses to Jarry and the Penguins Jan. 22 and Jan. 24.

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Penguins at Rangers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Rangers 4, Penguins 3

Money line (ML)

The RANGERS (-110) are worth a roll of the dice on home ice. While the Penguins have won the first three games vs. the Rangers, each has been by just one goal. New York has been oh-so-close, but something just goes wrong at the end. Pittsburgh C Sidney Crosby beat New York in OT Saturday. New York gets the best of Pittsburgh in this one.

Against the spread (ATS)

The Rangers -1.5 (+230) are tempting if you like them to win outright, but again, all three of the previous meetings have been one-goal affairs. Taking the Penguins +1.5 (-300) is not a good idea, either, as you have to risk three times your potential return. PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

The OVER 6.5 (-105) is worth a small-unit bet. The Over has cashed in two of the three meetings so far this season, including Saturday’s game which featured nine total goals between the two sides. The Over is 5-1 in the past six meetings at MSG, and 18-5-3 in the past 26 meetings overall.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers NHL odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (4-3-1) travel to meet the New York Rangers (2-4-1) at Madison Square Garden Saturday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Rangers NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Penguins at Rangers: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:32 a.m. ET.

Money line: Penguins -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Rangers -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Penguins +1.5 (-275) | Rangers -1.5 (+230)
Over/Under: 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Penguins at Rangers: Projected starting goalies

Tristan Jarry (2-3-1, 3.92 GAA, .859 SV%) at Igor Shesterkin (1-2-1, 2.73 GAA, .894 SV%)

Jarry is once again projected as the starter, and probably for good reason. Both of his wins this season came against the Blueshirts. He is 2-0-0 with a 2.40 GAA and .917 SV% against the Rangers, and he is 0-3-1 with a 4.89 GAA and .816 SV% in his four games against everyone else. G Casey DeSmith is 2-0-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .871 SV% in two starts and three games overall, yet head coach Mike Sullivan continues to ride and die with Jarry.

Shesterkin is projected to face the Pens. While he is 0-1-1 in his two starts against Pittsburgh, he has a 2.91 GAA and .872 SV% against them with both games decided by one goal. That includes a 4-3 shootout loss Jan. 22 in the Steel City.

Penguins at Rangers: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Penguins 4, Rangers 3

Money line (ML)

The PENGUINS (-105) are slight underdogs, but they’re the better play. They already have two wins under their belt against the Rangers, and they have dominated this series in recent years. Pittsburgh has won five of the past seven overall, and nine of their past 12 trips to MSG.

Against the spread (ATS)

The Penguins +1.5 (-275) are just way too expensive if you’re looking for a little insurance. Risking nearly three times your potential return is just not a good long-term strategy. AVOID and roll with the Pens on the ML instead.

Over/Under (O/U)

Play the OVER 6 (-110) with a small-unit bet. The series trends say Over all the time. The Over is 17-6-3 in the previous 26 meetings, including 4-1 in the past five in Manhattan. However, the Rangers have hit the Under in six in a row against winning teams, five straight on one day of rest and three straight heading in. The Over/Under split 1-1 in the first two meetings in Pittsburgh this season.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins NHL odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-1) travel to meet the Boston Bruins (4-1-1) at TD Garden Thursday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Bruins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Penguins at Bruins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:13 a.m. ET.

Money line: Penguins +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Bruins -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Penguins +1.5 (-250) | Bruins -1.5 (+200)
Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Penguins at Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Tristan Jarry (2-2-1, 3.91 GAA, .868 SV%) at Jaroslav Halak (1-0-1, 1.44 GAA, .938 SV%)

Jarry is projected as the starter again. He allowed three goals on 36 shots in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss to Boston. G Casey DeSmith, a native of nearby New Hampshire, could be tasked with the start. DeSmith is 2-0-0 with a 2.76 GAA and .871 SV% in two starts and three appearances. Whichever goalie is in the crease, the Penguins might have to do without the services of one of their top defenders, as D Brian Dumoulin left the last game with an undisclosed injury.

Halak is confirmed to start for the B’s, as bench boss Bruce Cassidy sticks to his goaltender rotation. Halak will be looking to build upon his first win of the season as he made 16 saves in a 6-1 blowout against the Philadelphia Flyers Saturday. He has allowed just three goals on 48 shots in his two appearances.

Penguins at Bruins: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bruins 3, Penguins 2

Money line (ML)

The BRUINS (-130) are the play as slight favorites on their home ice, as TD Garden has been a house of horrors over the years for the Penguins. The Pens are just 3-13 in their past 16 trips to Beantown, and just 8-18 across the past 26 overall against the B’s. The home side has cashed in 20 of the previous 26 head-to-head meetings with the favorite hitting in 22 of the past 29.

Against the spread (ATS)

While the Bruins -1.5 (+200) have dominated this series in recent years, a two-goal win is still a tall order. RW David Pastrnak (hip) will not play in this one, and the B’s have averaged just 2.25 goals per game in outings not against the Flyers. With Pasta sidelined, they’ll have a hard time generating offense.

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the UNDER 5.5 (+100). Halak has had it on lockdown in his two previous appearances, allowing a total of just three goals, and the Penguins matched a season-low two goals in the first end of the double dip. A total of five goals in this one is a good bet.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Boston Bruins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Boston Bruins (3-1-1) play their first game of two in three days against the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-0) at TD Garden Tuesday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Bruins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Penguins at Bruins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:55 p.m. ET.

Money line: Penguins +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Bruins -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Penguins +1.5 (-225) | Bruins -1.5 (+185)
Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Penguins at Bruins: Projected starting goalies

Tristan Jarry (2-2-0, .849 SV%, 4.28 GAA) vs. Tuukka Rask (2-1-0, .892 SV%, 2.23 GAA)

Jarry seems to have begun to turn a corner after being torched by the Philadelphia Flyers in each of his first two games of the season. He allowed 9 goals on 33 shots in those first two games, with one appearance lasting just 11:30, but has since turned in back-to-back wins against the New York Rangers with just 5 goals allowed on 60 shots.

Rask has faced a modest 65 shots through three games but has allowed 7 goals for a much worse than usual .892 save percentage. He is 10-6-3 for his career against the star-studded Penguins with a .917 SV% and 2.58 goals against average.

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Penguins at Bruins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Bruins 4, Penguins 2

Money line (ML)

The BRUINS (-145) are a solid play at home, even without fans allowed at TD Garden. They’re coming off a 6-1 beatdown of the Flyers Saturday and have an extra day of rest over the Penguins.

The Penguins have rung up four straight 1-goal victories after getting smacked by the Flyers in back-to-back games to open the season. Three of those four wins went to extra time with two going to a shootout. They were outshot in each of their last two games.

Boston has a distinct advantage in puck possession while ranking second in the NHL with a 5-on-5 Corsi For percentage of 56.84 to Pittsburgh’s 10th-ranked 52.15% possession split. Both power-play units are clicking at better than a 1-in-4 success rate, but the Penguins are killing just 76.19% of penalties to a 90.00% kill rate for the Bruins.

Against the spread (ATS)

Stick with the BRUINS -1.5 (+185) to win by 2 or more goals at a better value. Rask should have the advantage in the crease, and he has long had the numbers of Penguins Cs Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The Penguins’ defense corps also remains ravaged by injuries.

Pittsburgh is 0-6 against the puck line thus far but will the underdog for the first time on the season Tuesday.

Over/Under (O/U)

Take the OVER 5.5 (-120) amid the shaky starts from both of Tuesday’s goaltenders. The Bruins should be able to generate plenty of scoring chances against the thin Penguins defense, especially if given power-play opportunities.

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New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The New York Rangers (1-2-1) and Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2-0) clash for the second time in three days at PPG Paints Arena. Sunday’s puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Penguins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Rangers at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Rangers +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Penguins -135 (bet $100 to win $140)
Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+190)
Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Rangers at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin (0-1-1, .899 SV%, 2.95 GAA) vs. Tristan Jarry (1-2-0, .821 SV%, 5.28 GAA)

Shesterkin took the shootout loss against the Penguins Friday after allowing 3 goals on 28 shots in regulation time. He had previously stopped all 8 shots he faced in relief of Alexandar Georgiev Tuesday.

Jarry picked up his first win of the season Friday while stopping 31 of 34 shots in regulation. He didn’t face the Rangers during his breakout 2019-20 season when he posted a much better .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals against average in 33 total appearances.

Rangers at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Penguins 4, Rangers 3

Money line (ML)

The PENGUINS (-135) should complete a two-game sweep of the Rangers. New York outshot Pittsburgh 34-28 Friday, but total shot attempts at 5-on-5, including blocked and missed shots, were nearly equal and the Penguins registered two more scoring chances at full strength. The teams exchanged power-play goals with the Rangers going 1-for-4 and the Pens going 1-for-2.

Defense and goaltending are still major issues for the Penguins, but Jarry should be given the edge in this matchup with Shesterkin.

Against the spread (ATS)

PASS on the puck line. The single goal of insurance in the event of a Rangers loss is too expensive and there is little reason to trust the Penguins to win by 2 or more goals. Their last three victories were decided in either overtime or a shootout.

The last three games between the Penguins and Rangers dating back to April 2019 have gone to extra time with two decided in overtime and Friday’s contest going to the skills competition. Seven of the last 10 head-to-head clashes have been decided by a single goal with a total of five games going beyond 60 minutes.

Expect another tight decision. TIE (+300) on the 3-way alternate line could be considered at a decent value. It cashes if this game goes to a shootout.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Penguins remain very shorthanded on defense and those injuries have contributed to Jarry’s poor start. It’s also a reason why Pittsburgh is 5-0 against the Over/Under on the season with a total of at least 7 goals scored in all five of its games.

Take the OVER 6.5 (-115) until we see some better play from either of these clubs.

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New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The New York Rangers (1-2-0) and Pittsburgh Penguins (2-2-0) square off Friday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at PPG Paints Arena. Below, we analyze the Rangers-Penguins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Rangers at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.

Money line: Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Penguins -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-210) | Penguins -1.5 (+170)
Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Rangers at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin (0-1-0, .902 SV%, 3.09 GAA) vs. Tristan Jarry (0-2-0, .727 SV%, 7.57 GAA)

Shesterkin came made a relief appearance against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday for the ineffective Alexandar Georgiev. Shesterkin turned aside all 8 shots he faced.

Jarry has had a horrific start to his campaign, allowing nine goals on 33 shots in a pair of games against the Philadelphia Flyers last Wednesday and Friday. He has the backing of general manager Jim Rutherford, who is confident Jarry will bounce back to form.

Rangers at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Rangers 4, Penguins 3

Money line (ML)

The RANGERS (+125) are a great value at plus-money on the road against the struggling Jarry. In addition, the Penguins have a ton of injuries on the back end, as D Marcus Pettersson is out with an upper-body ailment, D Juuso Riikola is on the mend with an upper-body issue, as well, and D Chad Ruhwedel was away from the team due to the birth of a child. While he is expected to play Friday, during COVID-19 times, coming and going always has some risk.

Until Jarry gets his act together, and Pittsburgh gets a little healthier, fade the Pens.

Against the spread (ATS)

Rarely, if ever, will I play an underdog on the puck line. Rangers +1.5 (-210) just makes no sense. I like them straight up at plus-money, so risking two times your potential return for a little insurance is not the way to go.

AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 6.5 (-120) is a solid play, although it’s a bit of a high total. But really, what’s the difference between a flat 6 or this line. You need 7 goals for a winning ticket.

The Pens have scored 2.7 goals per game while yielding 4.7 goals per outing. Jarry has gotten off to a slow start, and the Over is 4-0 for Pittsburgh overall. Keep slamming the Over until the Pens start rounding into form.

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New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

Rangers at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:55 a.m. ET.

Money line: Rangers +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Penguins -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Rangers +1.5 (-210) | Penguins -1.5 (+170)
Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)

Rangers at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Igor Shesterkin (0-1-0, .902 SV%, 3.09 GAA) vs. Tristan Jarry (0-2-0, .727 SV%, 7.57 GAA)

Shesterkin came made a relief appearance against the New Jersey Devils Tuesday for the ineffective Alexandar Georgiev. Shesterkin turned aside all 8 shots he faced.

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Rangers at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Rangers 4, Penguins 3

Money line (ML)

Until Jarry gets his act together, and Pittsburgh gets a little healthier, fade the Pens.

Against the spread (ATS)

AVOID.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 6.5 (-120) is a solid play, although it’s a bit of a high total. But really, what’s the difference between a flat 6 or this line. You need 7 goals for a winning ticket.

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Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (1-2-0) and Washington Capitals (2-0-1) play for the second time in three days at PPG Paints Arena Tuesday. The puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Capitals-Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

The Penguins snuck out a 4-3 shootout win Sunday. Penguins LW Jake Guentzel scored the shootout winner after the Pens came back from a 2-1 deficit after 40 minutes.

Capitals at Penguins: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:31 p.m. ET.

Money line: Capitals +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Penguins -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Capitals +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+190)
Over/Under: 6.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Capitals at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Ilya Samsonov (1-0-1, .868 SV%, 3.36 GAA) vs. Casey DeSmith (1-0-0, .889 SV%, 2.13 GAA)

Samsonov hasn’t looked sharp to begin the season after posting a .913 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average in his 26-game 2019-20 rookie season. One of his 3 regulation goals allowed Sunday came on a poor puck-handling miscue.

DeSmith is projected to start again after being in net for the shootout win over the Caps Sunday. He stopped 20 of 23 shots in regulation and overtime, and he has looked sharper than Tristan Jarry in the early going.

Capitals at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Capitals 4, Penguins 2

Money line (ML)

Both teams registered 32 total shot attempts, including blocked and missed shots at full strength Sunday, but the Penguins had 20 scoring chances at 5-on-5 to 15 for the Capitals. Washington went 1-for-4 on the power play and Pittsburgh was 0-for-5 Sunday to drop to 2-for-13 on the season.

Samsonov should provide the Capitals with a significant edge in the goaltending battle. He was 10-2-1 on the road last season with a .911 SV% and 2.55 GAA. Take the value with the underdog CAPITALS (+115) while counting on their goalie to clean up some early-season mistakes.

Against the spread (ATS)

Take a chance on the alternate line of CAPITALS -1.5 (+280). The Penguins lost their first two games of the season against the rival Philadelphia Flyers by scores of 6-3 and 5-2. Goaltending, and defense have been glaring trouble areas thus far.

Washington has scored 9 goals through three games and will finish its early-season road trip on a high note before returning home for six straight games.

Over/Under (O/U)

Lean to the UNDER 6.5 (-105). These teams are familiar with one another and needed a shootout to top this projection Sunday. Defensive play should be starting to round into form three games into the season.

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Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Sunday’s Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Washington Capitals (2-0-0) and Pittsburgh Penguins (0-2-0) open a two-game set Sunday afternoon with a noon ET puck drop at PPG Paints Arena. Below, we analyze the Capitals-Penguins NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Capitals at Penguins: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.

Money line: Capitals +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Penguins -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Capitals +1.5 (-250) | Penguins -1.5 (+200)
Over/Under: 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Capitals at Penguins: Projected starting goalies

Ilya Samsonov (1-0, .846 SV%, 4.00 GAA) vs. Casey DeSmith (0-0, .923 SV%, 1.26 GAA)

Samsonov stopped 22 of 26 pucks in his 2021 debut Thursday at the Buffalo Sabres. The second-year NHL netminder faced the Pens once last season and allowed four goals (all even-strength) on 33 shots.

DeSmith closed out Friday’s 5-2 loss at the Philadelphia Flyers after starting G Tristan Jarry was lifted after allowing three goals in 11 minutes. The relief stint marked the 29-year-old’s first NHL action since 2019. DeSmith owns a .917 SV in 51 career games.

Capitals at Penguins: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Penguins 4, Capitals 3

Money line (ML)

Play to some gravity here, taking the quality 0-2 team against the quality 2-0 team. Shot and puck-possession analytics indicate the Caps are a bit too far out over their skis and the Pens are at the other end of the luck spectrum.

Last season, Pittsburgh had four home games on the heels of consecutive losses. The Penguins went 4-0 in those contests, posting a goal differential of plus-15 along the way.

BACK THE PENGUINS (-125).

Against the spread (ATS)

Consider adding a PENGUINS -1.5 (+200) puck-line play as a partial-unit rider alongside a full-unit money-line wager. This tag has swung toward Pittsburgh by 30 cents overnight. Perhaps wait out a possible move to a better price or just stick with the ML play.

Over/Under (O/U)

Peg a slight lean on the OVER 6.5 (+100), but a PASS is recommended.

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Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

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.

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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