Can the Penguins Survive Elimination in Game 3? Flyers vs Penguins Prediction

The Philadelphia Flyers have their Pittsburgh rivals right where they want them. Game 3 of this first-round playoff series tips off tonight at 7 PM ET on TNT from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, and the Flyers enter with a commanding 2-0 series lead. For the Penguins, this is as simple as it gets: win tonight or face elimination tomorrow.

The Series So Far

Philadelphia has been dominant through two games, and the scoreline does not do justice to just how thoroughly the Flyers have controlled this series.

• Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 2
• Game 2: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0 (Vladar shutout, 27 saves)

Goaltender Karel Vladar has been outstanding, posting a .956 save percentage across his playoff starts. Rookie Porter Martone has scored the game-winning goal in both games, emerging as an unexpected hero at just the right time. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has looked flat, giving up 3.2 goals per game over their last 10 regular season games and entering tonight on a five-game losing skid.

Key Players to Watch

For Philadelphia, Travis Konecny had a superb regular season with 27 goals and 41 assists (68 points) and has added two playoff assists. Matvei Michkov was scorching hot down the stretch — 4 goals and 7 assists in his last 10 regular season games — and the Flyers offense is humming at 3.5 goals per game over their last 10.

For Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby (29G, 45A in the regular season) will be desperate to will his team back into this series. Evgeni Malkin has 1 goal and 1 assist through two games. But the elephant in the room is goaltending — Stuart Skinner is posting an .884 save percentage in the playoffs, a clear vulnerability. The Penguins are outmatched in net and it has been costing them.

Tonight’s Odds

The Flyers open as modest favorites on home ice with the total sitting at 5.5.

Philadelphia -116, Pittsburgh +100. The even-money price on Pittsburgh reflects the Crosby factor — books know he is capable of anything — but the momentum and form heavily favor the home side.

Injury Report

The Flyers are missing Abols (ankle) and Grebenkin (upper body), with Erik Andrae listed as day-to-day. The Penguins are without Hallander (leg) and Brock McGinn while Jones is out for the season — a significant blow to their depth.

Prediction and Best Bet

The numbers paint a bleak picture for Pittsburgh. Their goaltending is a liability, their offense has gone cold at the worst possible time, and they are playing from behind in every sense. Vladar is playing the best hockey of his career, Martone keeps coming up big in the clutch, and the Flyers home crowd at Xfinity Mobile Arena will be electric tonight.

Crosby may get on the scoresheet — he always finds a way — but one great night from the greatest player of his generation is not enough to overcome the gap between these two teams right now.

• Prediction: Flyers 4, Penguins 2
• Best Bet: Flyers moneyline (-116)

At -116, the Flyers moneyline is outstanding value for a team that has won both games, posted a shutout in Game 2, and has their opponent against the wall. Back Philadelphia at home to close out a dominant performance and push the Penguins to the brink of elimination.