Flyers vs Penguins Odds, Lines, and How to Watch

• The Pittsburgh Penguins are almost even money as they face the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday, March 6th, 2021
• Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have split the first two meetings of this three-game set in Pittsburgh.
• Pittsburgh is 12-9-1 currently but has won eight of their ten home games this season

The Philadelphia Flyers found a way to play the Pittsburgh Penguins and exploit their weaknesses in what became quite a comeback on Thursday night in Pittsburgh. The Penguins jumped out to a 3-0 lead early in the first period only to watch the Flyers answer with four consecutive goals. Brian Elliott was able to weather the early storm and stop 26 of 29 shots including the final 20+ that came his way.

Overall, Philadelphia had won six of the last nine meetings while scoring three or more goals in six of those contests. Pittsburgh’s offense was held to two or fewer goals in just three of those games.

The puck drops Saturday, March 6th, 2021 is at 7 PM EST. The game is being carried by SportsNet PT, NBCS-PIT, and Sportsnet. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia last played on March 4th with the Philadelphia Flyers winning by a score of 4-3.

Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Odds

Odds taken March 5th from DraftKings

Captain Claude to the Rescue

The Flyers hopes looked dashed until Claude Giroux took it on himself to will Philadelphia back into the game on Thursday night. It was more than the two goals he scored. Every shift Giroux was on the ice illustrated one thing — heart! The Philadelphia captain made an impact and Pittsburgh had few answers for the motivated forward.

The Captain came up clutch, racking up 2g-1a in a thriller in Pittsburgh.#AnytimeAnywhere | @28CGiroux pic.twitter.com/DYFsYhDCEL

— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) March 5, 2021

Giroux dipped in his intensity which is common a few games after the COVID quarantine (two shots in two games). However, this game was different. The third period featured Giroux as determined as he was in 2017-18 when he produced his only 100-point campaign. His game-winner cemented the comeback and put Pittsburgh on notice.

Need More Crosby and Malkin

While Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier have carried the Flyers, the same can not always be said of the duo that is Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby

The Pittsburgh centers disappeared after the first five minutes of the game on Thursday. Crosby was just coming back after missing a game and being in COVID protocol. while Malkin has now gone on a goalless drought of five games. There was one moment where maybe Pittsburgh had hope.

Lost in the shuffle of Claude Giroux’s late-game heroics: Brian Elliott robbing Evgeni Malkin to keep the #Flyers with 3-2 midway through the third.

— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) March 5, 2021

That goal would have put Pittsburgh up 4-2 with about ten minutes left in the game. Likely, that would have thwarted a Flyers’ comeback.

Injurious Impacts

Pittsburgh forward Jason Zucker will not play on Saturday. He is on the injured reserve due to a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh defenseman Brian Dumoulin, out since January 26th with a lower-body ailment, may play on Saturday along with forward, Evan Rodrigues.

Penguins with a few moves today:
-P.O Joseph and Drew O’Connor have been re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre Scranton.
-Josh Currie and Anthony Angello have been re-assigned to the taxi squad
Meaning= Brian Dumoulin & Evan Rodrigues could return Saturday.

— John Lydic (@ENNJohnLydic) March 5, 2021

Joel Farabee has still not been cleared from COVID protocol at this time. His status is assumed to be out for Saturday afternoon against Pittsburgh. Also, Philippe Myers is questionable at press time.

Brian Elliott Backing Up The Goaltending

While Carter Hart has mostly floundered this season for Philadelphia, the surprise has been the performance of Brian Elliott. The backup goaltender has won six of his seven decisions in 2021. The 35-year old has won his last three starts while giving up just six goals

Philadelphia has enjoyed success this year with Elliott in net. He has a 2.15 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in nine appearances along with two shutouts.

on a serious note, i’d like to see this team give more rope to brian elliott. numbers better, has looked better all season. hart will eventually shake out of it, but there’s an obvious gap rn. get a defenseman that’s going to eat minutes and let’s roll.

— collin mehalick (@collin) March 5, 2021

The Flyers are 6-3-1 in their last ten games on the road. Overall, Philadelphia has yielded three goals a game while scoring 3.4 per contest. Pittsburgh is at an output of three goals a game while yielding 3.2 per game. Both penalty kills rank 27th in the league at 73.5% so the power play (Philadelphia — 18.6%, Pittsburgh 15.4%) may be one of the difference makers along with the goaltending.

Pick: Philadelphia Flyers (-114)