NHL : Reeling Flyers Seek Relief in Pittsburgh

The Philadelphia Flyers have been a bit off since the holidays. They’ve won just eight games since the Christmas break, and now they’ve got a tough one coming up this Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins. NBC provides national coverage starting at 8 PM ET.

Thanks to the league’s playoff format, the Flyers are still in the hunt for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they’re still one of the worst teams in the NHL. Philadelphia is tied for last with a .895 save percentage, while only scoring 2.53 goals per game (No. 21 overall). The Flyers are also near the bottom of the barrel against the puck line at 23-36 ATS and –20.72 betting units heading into Wednesday’s action.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, leads the NHL at 3.48 goals per game, with a respectable .913 save percentage (No. 11 overall). But the Penguins are also allowing 32.2 shots per game; only four teams have been more porous on defense. That’s making it tough for Pittsburgh to win by the necessary two goals to beat the puck line. Losing top defenseman Justin Schultz (plus-31 in 56 games) to a concussion last Thursday won’t help matters, either.

NHL Odds: Flyers-Penguins on The Peacock

Hockey will be in the spotlight this Saturday when NBC airs the Metropolitan Division showdown between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, live from the Steel City at 8 PM ET.

It’s a big mismatch on paper. The Penguins lead the NHL in scoring at 3.48 goals per game, while the Flyers are tied for last with a .895 save percentage. However, it looks like Pittsburgh will be without top blueliner Justin Schultz after he suffered a concussion last Thursday. Schultz (39 points in 56 games) leads the Pens at plus-31, tying him for sixth overall in the league.