NHL Playoffs: Flyers vs. Penguins Game Five Preview
In a pivotal matchup of the NHL Playoffs first round, the Philadelphia Flyers (43-27-12) will be aiming to secure their advancement against the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-16) in game five of their series this Monday at 7 p.m. EDT. Currently leading the series 3-1, the Flyers will seek to close it out with a victory against a familiar rival, as this will mark their ninth encounter this season. The Penguins succeeded in their last clash, winning 4-2.
Team Performance Overview
The Penguins have had a solid season, recording a 41-25-16 overall record and performing well in their division with a 14-7-9 record in games featuring Metropolitan Division teams. They have been known for their offensive prowess, ranking third in the NHL with a remarkable total of 290 goals, averaging 3.5 goals per contest.
On the other hand, the Flyers also have a commendable season behind them, holding a record of 43-27-12, which includes a 15-10-5 showing within their division. However, they have faced some disciplinary challenges, with the team ranking seventh in the league for penalties, racking up 322 penalties total—averaging 3.9 per game.
Key Players
A standout player for the Penguins is Sidney Crosby, who boasts an impressive tally of 29 goals and 45 assists this season. Teammate Evgeni Malkin has also been contributing significantly, adding six goals and five assists over his last ten games. For the Flyers, Owen Tippett has achieved a personal milestone with 28 goals and 23 assists, while Porter Martone has notably scored six goals paired with six assists in the same span.
Recent Performance
Examining the last ten matches, the Penguins have struggled somewhat, finishing with a record of 4-6-0. During that stretch, they averaged 3.5 goals and made 5.5 assists per match, while also facing an average of 4.7 penalties—with a total of 13.2 penalty minutes. Conversely, the Flyers have enjoyed a better run, boasting an 8-2-0 record, averaging 3.6 goals and 5.8 assists with only five penalties on average and giving up just two goals per game.
Injury Report
In terms of player availability, the Penguins will be missing Filip Hallander due to a leg injury and Caleb Jones, who is out for the season with a shoulder issue. The Flyers will also be dealing with several injuries, with Rodrigo Abols out with an ankle injury, Nikita Grebenkin out due to an upper-body injury, and Emil Andrae being day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
