Penguins Flyers Betting - Flyers Try To Sweep Penguins Out Of The Playoffs In Round One

The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins were expected to wage an extended battle in the first round of the NHL post season, a series lasting at least six games. It could end on Wednesday.

East Quarters, Game 4: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Philadelphia Flyers – Wednesday, April 18  

Sports betting line: N/A

Why Pittsburgh Will Win

When you make an online betting play in an NHL playoff series, it's not often the case that betting on a sweep makes sense. The odds of a sweep are simply very low, especially in a series matching the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds in a conference when they lock horns in a quarterfinal series. The Pittsburgh Penguins are indeed trailing the Philadelphia Flyers by a 3-0 margin in this best-of-seven set, but now the Flyers have to win the toughest game of all: the final one. It's always supremely difficult to close down a series because the opponent is going to do all it can to prevent the early trip to the golf course for the off season.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, of all teams, should be especially motivated to resist the Flyers on Wednesday in Game 4. For one thing, they won the Stanley Cup in 2009 and know what it takes to win a championship. This is a team that has proven it can dig deep in the recent past. Second, the Pens have elite players such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin who can bust loose at any time and have the pride of top-tier professionals. Third, Pittsburgh hates Philadelphia and will want to do whatever it can to avoid a humiliating sweep at the hands of its arch rival. Fourth,Pittsburgh has given up eight goals in each of its last two games.

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury won a Stanley Cup three years ago. His professionalism and dignity are at stake in Game 4. If Fleury can play up to his capabilities and Pittsburgh rallies around the flag – two very realistic occurrences – the Penguins can prolong their season for at least another night and force a Game 5. This is not a pick involving the series; it's a pick involving one game. Pittsburgh has every chance of prevailing on Wednesday night.

Why Philadelphia Will Win

When betting on this game, don't over think the matter. The Flyers have gotten inside the Penguins' heads. Philadelphia has caused Pittsburgh to fight excessively and without purpose, sending the Penguins to the penalty box on a staggeringly consistent basis. The Flyers have destroyed Pittsburgh's penalty kill unit, using their power-play prowess to embarrass the Penguins and expose their goalie, Marc-Andre Fleury. Eight goals in consecutive games reflects wholesale dominance and an ability to psychologically break an opponent. The Penguins have championship chops and credentials, but the Flyers – without good goal tending from their own net minder, Ilya Bryzgalov – have still wiped the floor with the Pens. They're in control of the series. They have little to fear at this point.

Who Will Win?

Philadelphia is owning this series, so much so that it has trailed in all three games yet calmly rallied to win. In each of the last two games, Philadelphia won in blowout fashion. There's nothing to suggest that Pittsburgh will win this game. The Flyers will produce a sweep that few pundits were expecting a week ago.

NHL Betting Pick: Philadelphia