It’s a perfect way to start.
Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia. Penguins versus Flyers. Two intrastate rivals who are among the NHL’s elite.
Professional hockey returns on Wednesday with one of the league’s best rivalry games. This year’s season will feature 56 games followed by a playoff with 16 teams in a best-of-7, four-round format. The Stanley Cup finals should conclude in mid July.
This year, teams will also return to their respective cities after finishing last season in a bubble.
And the advent of hockey also signals the beginning of NHL betting season. PA sportsbooks are ready for it, with odds available on team totals and futures, player futures and opening game lines as well.
Let’s take a look at the available wagers to get you ready for when the puck drops.
FanDuel has Flyers favored in season opener with Penguins
Philadelphia hosts Pittsburgh in the NHL’s first game Wednesday, which will air at 5:30 p.m. on the NBC Sports Network. FanDuel Sportsbook has the Flyers at -125 on the moneyline and a price of +250 to win by 1.5. The Penguins are +105 on the moneyline and are -300 to cover 1.5 goals. The game’s total is set at 6.5.
If you’re looking to parlay Pens-Flyers with another game Wednesday, the rest of the schedule and their moneyline prices according to FanDuel are as follows:
- Canadiens (+115) vs. Maple Leafs (-140)
- Blackhawks (+190) vs. Lightning (-230)
- Canucks (+100) vs. Oilers (-120)
- Blues (+120) vs. Avalanche (-140)
DraftKings has Flyers 6th, Penguins 10th in Stanley Cup futures
In futures betting as of Monday evening, DraftKings Sportsbook has the Colorado Avalanche (+650) as the favorites to capture this year’s Stanley Cup trophy. Following them are the Tampa Bay Lightning (+750), Las Vegas Golden Knights (+800), Toronto Maple Leafs (+1100) and Boston Bruins (+1500).
The Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes are next at +1800. The rest of the top 10 is as follows:
- St. Louis Blues: +2000
- Washington Capitals: +2000
- Pittsburgh Penguins: +2100
Note: Updated Stanley Cup futures odds can be found below.
Penguins and Flyers total goals both set at 67.5
Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have identical team over/under total goals in the 2021 season. BetRivers has posted the number for both teams at 67.5 points with a minimum of 46 games needed for the bet to stand.
A number of sportsbooks have added that disclaimer this year with the understanding that some games could get canceled due to COVID protocols.
BetRivers also has wagers posted on whether each team will make the playoffs and the team’s top goal scorer. Jake Guentzel leads the way for the Penguins (+200) and Travis Konecny (+175) is the favorite for the Flyers.
BetRivers prop asks who scores more, Crosby or Malkin?
One of the interesting player props available for the NHL season is a two-way wager based on which player will score more goals. Pittsburgh Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are paired together in one of the BetRivers wagers, with Crosby having a price of +100 and Malkin serving as the favorite at -125.
Penguins winger Jake Guentzel also appears in a bet opposite Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel. Guentzel and Eichel are completely even at -112. Find more NHL player props at BetRivers as well as other PA online sports betting apps.
Player award futures are also live at PA sportsbooks
BetRivers, which became the official casino/sportsbook of the Pittsburgh Penguins last year, also has an extensive list of player award futures available for wagering. The player awards and their current favorites include the following:
- Hart Memorial Trophy – Connor McDavid (+450)
- Calder Memorial Trophy – Alexis Lafrenière (+300)
- Vezina Trophy – Andrei Vasilevskiy (+650)
- James Norris Memorial Trophy – Victor Hedman (+400)
- Art Ross Trophy – Connor McDavid (+350)
Perfect start to NHL in PA
A new NHL season starts on Wednesday, with one of the league’s best rivalries. Two teams on opposite ends of the Keystone State will meet at center ice.
Pittsburgh versus Philadelphia. Penguins versus Flyers.
Wagers will be made, televisions will be turned on and the puck will drop.
It’s a perfect way to start.
Updated 2021 Stanley Cup futures odds at PA sportsbooks
Lead image credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
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