In the most eagerly anticipated first round playoff series in 2012 the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers will battle in what will surely be an intense series where whichever team that comes through is significantly banged up. In my opinion these two teams are the most complete teams in the Eastern Conference and having finished with the 2nd and 3rd most points in the Eastern Conference it is unfortunate for each of them that they have to meet in the first round. But their unfortunate is our gain because this will definitely be the series that hockey fans follow closely regardless of their personal favourite teams.
Flyers vs Penguins Round 1 Odds
Philadelphia Flyers +190 (5Dimes.com)
Pittsburgh Penguins -190 (BetOnline.ag)
I expect the BetOnline.ag line on the penguins to shorten soon so if you are planning on taking them in this series I would jump on that quickly.
Flyers vs Penguins Round 1 Prediction
I truly believe this series could go either way. The Flyers lead the season series between the clubs with 4 out of a possible 6 wins and one of the Penguins wins came in the last game of the season that had no effect on the standings for either team. That being said when the playoffs begin the season series goes out the window. Another thing to consider is that Crosby did not play in the first three meetings between these teams this season and I think it’s safe to say that the Pens are a better team with him in the lineup. Now that we got that season series nonsense out of the way, which as I said means absolutely nothing, lets get into why the Flyers could win this series. The reason I will get into this is because I’m taking the Flyers as the +190 line is too good to pass up.
The Flyers are a very different team from last year, but I would say they are a better one. Up front the line of Giroux/Hartnell/Jagr will do damage against a Penguins team that likes to play loose and will give up chances at their end. I expect Jagr to really take charge in this series. He has shown throughout the season that he still has the ability to be a difference maker and the real reason he came back was to succeed in the playoffs. In his last playoff appearance in the NHL, back in 07-08, Jagr tried to single handedly take the Rangers to the promise land as his 15 points in 10 games shows. I remember that he was playing like a man possessed and I am expecting the same from him this year. Giroux also played well in the playoffs the last two years for the Flyers and has 38 points in 40 career playoff games (0.95 points per game), which is much better than the 0.73 points per game he had in the regular season in those three seasons. Briere is another massive playoff performer who has 96 points in 97 career playoff games! It is also expected that he will be back as he has been practicing hard with the team.
I expect these players to take advantage of a Penguins defense that can be suspect at times. Letang is the only elite defenseman they have on their back end, while their other d-men are all steady, but could be exposed by the talent of the Flyers forwards.
The Flyers defense are a solid group, but the Flyers also give up quite a few goals and they will need to find a way to shutdown Crosby and Malkin in order to have a chance in this series.
When I look at the goaltending battle I don’t really know what to think. Bryzgalov has the ability, but he has been inconsistent this year, but has shown glimpses of greatness. Fleury will be solid in net, but I don’t expect him to steal a series. Bryzgalov on the other hand could do just that or he could lose it.
Play: Flyers +190 (5Dimes.com)
Flyers Keys To Victory
- Stay out of the penalty box – The Flyers had the most penalty minutes in the league this season and going against a Penguins power play that was the 5th best in the regular season (mostly without Crosby) is just asking for trouble.
- Playoff performers must step up – I expect this to be a fairly high scoring series and Giroux, Jagr and Briere will have to be on their A-game offensively to match Crosby and Malkin on the scoreboard.
- Bryzgalov – He has to play to a level that gives the Flyers a chance to win. I’m not saying he has to win the series by himself, but that wouldn’t be a bad option either.
Tagged with: NHL Playoffs betting • Philadelphia Flyers betting • Pittsburgh Penguins betting