Once upon a time, Rick Tocchet was a star player for the Philadelphia Flyers and epitomized the organization’s passion, toughness, and excellence. Tocchet was called home this summer to get the franchise back on track as a serious NHL betting contender and serious playoff contender. At the midway point of the season, Tocchet is delivering the goods. The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the most improved teams in the NHL. Additionally, Tocchet played for the Flyers’ arch-rival Pittsburgh Penguins, for three seasons. Thus, he understands the rivalry as only a few coaches can.
In a similar vein to Philadelphia, the Penguins are also one of the NHL’s great comeback stories. But after a hot start, the Pens have cooled off, putting their playoff chances in peril. There is a logjam of teams fighting for the final spot in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Penguins are in that battle royale, making their Thursday matchup critical.
Thursday’s ESPN rivalry matchup of the Flyers and Penguins is a certain viewership and betting traffic winner.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Thursday, January 15, 2026, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Flyers at Penguins Betting Odds Analysis
Philadelphia will be a popular pick with sharps as a quality team getting a more favorable offshore betting price on the road. Pittsburgh will draw plenty of casual-sector support as a popular brand having a reasonably good season.
Philadelphia Flyers Team Overview
The Philadelphia Flyers are 22-14-8 straight up and 24-20 over/under the total. Also, Philadelphia is 8th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Philadelphia is eight points behind the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Late on, Philadelphia has covered two out of its last six games. While the Flyers have gone over the total in five of their previous seven matchups.
Philadelphia has NHL rankings of 20th for goals scored and 30th for power play efficiency. In comparison, on defense, the Flyers have NHL rankings of 10th for goals against and 11th for penalty killing.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Overview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 21-14-9 straight up and 22-21-1 over/under the NHL betting total. Also, Pittsburgh is 11th in the Eastern Conference playoff standings. Pittsburgh is nine points behind the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Late on, Pittsburgh has covered five out of its last eight games. While the Penguins have gone over the total in four of their previous six matchups.
Pittsburgh has NHL rankings of 13th for goals scored and 3rd for power play efficiency. In comparison, on defense, the Penguins rank 12th in goals against and 7th in penalty killing.
Flyers at Penguins Betting Trends
Philadelphia has covered ten of its last 17 away games. The Flyers went over the total in five of their most recent seven road games. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh won only four of its last 12 home games. The Penguins went over the total in seven of their last nine home games.
In the series between the Flyers and Penguins, Philadelphia got the cash in three of their most recent five meetings. Only two of the last seven games between the Flyers and Penguins went under the total.
Specifically in Pittsburgh, the Penguins saw the Flyers’ window in seven of their last eight games. Five of the last seven games between the Flyers and Penguins in Pittsburgh went over the total.
Flyers at Penguins SBG Free Picks
Although the Penguins have dominated the Flyers in Pittsburgh, that was before Tocchet arrived as head coach. Tocchet has changed the Flyers’ culture and results.
Flyers at Penguins SBG Best Bet: Philadelphia Flyers.