Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series between the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins is set for Monday at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Now, the Flyers hold a 1-0 series lead after a 3-2 NHL betting victory in Game 1.
Despite being the lower seed, Philadelphia successfully neutralized the Penguins’ high-powered offense by allowing only 17 shots on goal. Defensive contributions were central to their success, with defensemen Jamie Drysdale and Travis Sanheim scoring key goals. Rookie forward Porter Martone added a crucial insurance goal late in the third period.
Sharps and NHL Analysts for Game 2 suggest the Penguins must find ways to bypass the Flyers’ effective 1-2-2 neutral zone trap that stymied their stars in the opener. Namely, Sidney Crosby, who leads the Penguins with 74 points this season, was held scoreless in Game 1 and spent four minutes in the penalty box.
Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flyers | +1½ ( -200 ) | 6 ( -115 ) | +120 |  |
| Penguins | -1½ ( +170 ) | 6 ( -105 ) | -150 | |
| ||||
The Penguins and Flyers play on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. ET. The game takes place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Gamblers can watch the national broadcast on ESPN.
Flyers at Penguins Betting Odds Analysis
Although Pittsburgh is the online wagering betting favorite at home, public sentiment is divided after the Flyers took the series opener. Many bettors are looking at the Flyers as a high-value underdog, given their defensive performance in Game 1.
Overall, gamblers’ general perception leans toward the under. This is driven by the physical, low-scoring nature of the first game and the strong recent play of the Philadelphia goaltending.
While most big-time gamblers still favor the veteran Pittsburgh core to win the series overall, there is a growing narrative that the Flyers match up well for playoff hockey. Some analysts suggest the Flyers are well-positioned to keep this game close or pull off another upset if they can maintain their physical style of play.
Philadelphia Flyers Team Overview
Captain Sean Couturier leads a roster that has transitioned into a more competitive phase, often referred to as the New Era of Orange. Consider that the offensive attack is headlined by Travis Konecny, who led the team in scoring with 68 points, and Trevor Zegras, who recorded 67 points in his first full season with the club. Additional key contributors include Owen Tippett, who scored a team-high 28 goals, and young standout Matvei Michkov, who finished with 51 points.
Philadelphia will likely continue to rely on goaltender Dan Vladar, who earned his first career postseason win in Game 1. Late on, the Flyers have been on a strong run, winning seven of their last ten games while allowing an average of only 2.5 goals per game. Their disciplined defensive system has compensated for a struggling power play that went 0-for-3 in the first game.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Overview
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the NHL betting postseason as the third-highest scoring team in the league, averaging 3.5 goals per game. But they struggled, with 15 giveaways and only three takeaways. For Game 2, the Penguins will likely focus on improving puck management and converting their faceoff dominance.
The team ranked third in the league for goals scored, averaging 3.54 goals per game. Specifically, they are supported by the seventh-ranked power play. Defensively, the Penguins struggled at times, ranking 24th in goals against per game. However, their penalty kill remained a strength at sixth overall. Stuart Skinner has served as the primary goaltender after being acquired in a December trade. In sum, he led the team to 23 regular-season wins.
Flyers at Penguins At SBG Free Picks
To conclude, Sharps suggest taking the Penguins’ moneyline as a bounce-back bet since they rarely drop consecutive home games in the postseason. Additionally, Wise Guys favor the under for this matchup. This pick is supported by the physical, defensive style shown in Game 1 and the strong performance of Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar. Consider that Vlader has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last seven starts.
Flyers at Penguins SBG Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins and Under the Total.