Flyers vs. Penguins: Game 3 prediction

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 13: Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Patric Hornqvist (72) and Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Carl Hagelin (62) scrum with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim (6), Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matt Read (24) and Philadelphia Flyers center Scott Laughton (21) during the second period. The Philadelphia Flyers won 5-1 in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 13, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers went back and forth with dominating wins in Games 1 and 2, but who’s going take control of the series in game 3?

After getting annihilated in Game 1, the Philadelphia Flyers bounced back in a big way with a resounding 5-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 to even the series at one game a piece. Now, the series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 with control of the series on the line at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

You could see that once the Flyers got that opening goal from Shayne Gostisbehere late in the first period that the monkey was off their back, and their play reflected it for the next 40 minutes. Brian Elliot stood tall in net after a dreadful Game 1, making 34 saves on 35 shots. Philadelphia’s power play also came through to win the day, going 2 for 3 after going 0 for 4 in Game 1.

The Penguins didn’t play particularly bad in Game 2, but the performance was obviously nowhere near good enough to get the job done in the playoffs. Patric Hornqvist recorded the only goal for the Penguins to make it 4-1 in the third period, and Matt Murray had a disappointing night with 15 saves on 19 shots. The Penguins formidable power play had plenty of chances, but went 0 for 4 in Game 2, a trend they hope won’t continue with how much that power play has carried them throughout the season.

Do we see another dominating performance in Game 3? Maybe our first close game of the series? Unfortunately, the Flyers constant inconsistency is a just too much of a factor to enforce any kind of confidence that they’ll follow up that Game 2 performance with another all-around solid performance.

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Whoever scores first this game will win, the Flyers getting the crowd in the game and the Penguins getting them out is crucial for both sides. The two trade goals early on before stalemate ensues, and Phil Kessel breaks the draw before an empty net goal seals a 2-1 series lead for Pittsburgh.

Game 3 Prediction: Penguins defeat Flyers 4-2.

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