In Thursday night NHL betting action, the battle of Pennsylvania is one of the headline games as the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers.
A strong first month is not just a possibility for the Penguins, who by October’s end will have faced seven teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs. Making the most of an agreeable early schedule is a must if recent history is any indication.
Over the past three seasons, the Penguins have earned only 52.5 percent of possible points in November and December by going 38-34-9. From Jan. 1 on, they have collected 68.6 percent of points available by going 84-34-15, but only with frenzied finishes have they earned high playoff seeds.
The Flyers will have plenty of revenge on their mind as they will be trying to make up for getting knocked out of the playoffs last season by the Pens.
Danny Briere pounced on a loose puck and knocked in the rebound at 3:52 of overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 6-5 win over the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
Mike Richards bested Alex Ovechkin with his second career hat trick to help the Flyers improve to 3-0. Ovechkin scored twice and has five goals already in three games this season.
In other games
• Maple Leafs 2, Senators 1 — Daniel Alfredsson’s second-period goal on a penalty shot gave Ottawa a road victory over Toronto.
The Senators captain used a nifty backhand deke to score against Swedish countryman Jonas Gustavsson.
• Hurricanes 2, Lightning 1 — Tuomo Ruutu scored the final goal for Carolina in a shootout, giving them a home victory over Tampa Bay.
• Oilers 5, Stars 4— Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin picked up his 300th career victory and Edmonton won the shootout at home.
• Flames 4, Canadiens 3— Staffan Kronwall’s first NHL goal lifted Calgary to a home win over Montreal.
• Wild 4, Ducks 3— Andrew Brunette’s power-play goal in overtime lifted Minnesota over Anaheim at home.
• Kings 6, Sharks 4 — Ryan Smyth scored in the second period and Los Angeles beat San Jose at home.
