PENGUINS (-135) at FLYERS (+115), 8 p.m.
Pick: Penguins To Win (-135)
This will be in front of 70,000 wet fans at Lincoln Financial Field – as long as the rain doesn’t get too heavy. If it does, well, there are contingencies in place, as well as contingencies on those contingencies. Somebody in the league office has it all covered, just like the on-ice talent will be covered some new top-tier jerseys from Adidas.
The Penguins (32-22-7) are battling to make the playoffs yet again but need to keep pumping out wins. They’ve won four out of six after an 0-3-1 mini-slide, but are coming off a goose egg (0-4) at home against the Sharks. Looking ahead, maybe?
The Flyers (28-26-7) are playing higher quality hockey in 2019, but a couple of lousy outings this week have really put their postseason backs against the wall. Now, savior G Carter Hart (lower body) will be out for 10 days, so G Brian Elliot will get the nod in goal here. A back-up goalie and F Sydney Crosby on a big Philadelphia stage? Things could get ugly fast in South Philly.
ISLANDERS (-130) at CANUCKS (+100), 10 p.m.
Pick: None
The Islanders (35-18-7) have been maintaining their first-place status in the Metropolitan Division despite letting up on the gas a little (6-3-3 in their last dozen). They have a loss and an overtime loss on this three-game Western road swing and will be happy to get back home.
The Canucks (26-27-8) are just four points out of a muddled Western Conference playoff race, but they need to get back in the W column (2-5 over last seven).
Hard to tell if the Isles are looking passed this game and to the plane ride home or if the Canucks can straighten things out. Pass.