Philadelphia heads to PPG Paints Arena for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round with a 1-0 series lead after a 3-2 win on April 18. Pittsburgh is favored at home, while the market is dealing a full 6.5 total with juice to the under.
The teams finished the regular season level on points (98), with Philadelphia going 43-27-12 and Pittsburgh 41-25-16. Philly’s road profile (23-14-4) has held up, and this matchup pits a low-shot Flyers team against a Penguins team that generated more offense and a far better power play across the season.
Bookmaker Odds as of 7:13 a.m. ET on April 20, 2026.
Odds & Game Info
Game 2 is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
This table lists odds from BetOnline.
| Market | Philadelphia Flyers | Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Spread (Puck Line) | +1.5 (-188) | -1.5 (+152) |
| Moneyline | +126 | -152 |
| Total | Over 6.5 (+112) | Under 6.5 (-138) |
Team Records
Here’s where each team finished the regular season, plus recent form.
| Team | Record | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Flyers | 43-27-12 | 7-3-0 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 41-25-16 | 5-5-0 |
Team Stats
This table compares the core scoring and special teams rates.
| Team | Goals per game | Goals allowed per game | Power play % | Penalty kill % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Flyers | 2.93 | 2.92 | 15.7% | 77.6% |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 3.54 | 3.15 | 24.1% | 81.4% |
Team Stats reference: https://www.espn.com/nhl/game/_/gameId/401869794/flyers-penguins
Recaps
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia took Game 1 by a 3-2 score on April 18 in Pittsburgh, giving them early series control without needing a spike in shot volume. Over their last five games overall, the Flyers are 4-1, with wins of 3-2, 4-2, 3-2 (SO), and 7-1 before a 6-3 loss.
For the season, the Flyers averaged 2.93 goals per game on 25.5 shots for per game, and allowed 2.92 goals per game on 25.5 shots against per game. Special teams were a clear weak spot: 15.7% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill, and the Flyers also carried more penalty minutes than Pittsburgh (785 vs. 666).
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh opened the series with a 3-2 loss at home and enters Game 2 trying to stabilize after a 1-4 run in its last five games (L 3-2 vs PHI, L 7-5 at STL, L 3-0 at WSH, L 6-3 vs WSH, W 5-2 at NJ).
The Penguins’ profile is offense-forward: 3.54 goals per game with 28.6 shots for per game. Their power play (24.1%) is the biggest built-in lever in this matchup against a Flyers penalty kill that finished at 77.6%, though Pittsburgh’s defensive baseline was looser (3.15 goals allowed per game, 27.4 shots against per game).
Matchup Keys
- Special teams gap: Penguins PP (24.1%) vs. Flyers PK (77.6%) is the cleanest path for Pittsburgh to separate, especially if Philadelphia’s higher team PIM carries into this game.
- Shot volume baseline: Flyers SF/G 25.5 vs. Penguins SF/G 28.6. If this game stays even at 5v5 and Philly can keep attempts down, it supports another tight scoreline.
- Finishing vs. defending: Penguins scored 3.54 GF/G but also allowed 3.15 GA/G, so their margin tends to swing on whether the power play converts and whether they can avoid trading chances.
- Goaltending clarity: No confirmed starters were listed for Game 2 as of the odds timestamp, but the season lines show Dan Vladar (2.42 GAA, .906 SV%) as Philadelphia’s top performer by results and Stuart Skinner (2.92 GAA, .888 SV%) as Pittsburgh’s most-used option.
- Scheduling spot: Game 2 follows Game 1 on April 18 in the same building, so there’s no travel and no back-to-back; expect a normal playoff recovery window for both teams.
Betting Trends
- Philadelphia finished the regular season 23-14-4 on the road.
- Pittsburgh finished the regular season 20-13-8 at home.
- Philadelphia’s last 10: 7-3-0.
- Pittsburgh’s last 10: 5-5-0.
- Philadelphia is 4-1 over its last five games.
- Pittsburgh is 1-4 over its last five games.
- Philadelphia’s last five games went over 6.5 total goals in 2 of 5 (8, 9), and under in 3 of 5 (5, 6, 5).
- Pittsburgh’s last five games went over 6.5 total goals in 3 of 5 (12, 9, 7), and under in 2 of 5 (5, 3).
- Philadelphia’s season-long scoring rate (2.93 GF/G) sits well below Pittsburgh’s (3.54 GF/G), which is part of why Pittsburgh is laying a price despite trailing 1-0 in the series.
Best Bet
Under 6.5 (-138).
Philadelphia’s season profile is built around keeping games controlled: 2.93 goals per game, just 25.5 shots for per game, and 2.92 goals allowed per game. Game 1 landed at five total goals, and with no travel between Games 1 and 2, the setup points toward another structured game rather than a track meet. The main risk to the under is Pittsburgh’s power play (24.1%) getting multiple looks against a Flyers penalty kill that finished at 77.6%.
Predicted Score
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final score of Penguins 3, Flyers 2.
21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.