NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Senators vs Penguins – Game Two
Hockey Gambling fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Team Records:
Ottawa: 44-32-6
Pittsburgh: 47-28-7
Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Senators: +210
Penguins: -250
Sens vs. Penguins Preview – Senators lead series 1-0
It sure has been a wacky start to the playoffs, hasn’t it? Seven of the eight series are under way and just two of the favorites – Buffalo and Vancouver – opened their conference quarter-final matchups with wins.
Remember, bettors – series are best-of-seven for a reason. Don’t panic yet. Case-in-point: the Senators visiting the defending champion Penguins in Game 2.
Well, that was a bit unexpected. Virtually every bettor, hockey expert or fan would tell you that the Senators simply don’t measure up to Pittsburgh in the talent or experience department.
The Pens have world-class scorers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, not to mention a “big-game” goalie in Marc-Andre Fleury. The Sens, on the other hand, have a collection of perennial playoff floppers and guys with no playoff experience at all, including goaltender Brian Elliott, the victor in Game 1.
A closer look at the way the game played out, however, makes me skeptical that the Sens can sustain that performance. Firstly, they were extremely reliant on soft goals.
Marc-Andre Fleury allowed several weak ones, five in total, the ugliest of which was probably the harmless shot from Jarkko Ruutu that beat him under the armpit and ended up the game-winning goal.
Fleury has always been inconsistent. Even during the Pens’ back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup final over the last two seasons, he had his off nights.
If there’s one thing he’s taught us over that span, however, it’s that he’s also resilient. He fights off bad games and comes back stronger than ever, often with acrobatic, show-stealing performances.
It’s not like the Sens dominated the play in Game 1; they managed a so-so 26 shots and happened to beat Fleury five times. Just as important: it’s not like Brian Elliott flourished in his first career playoff start, either. He allowed four goals on just 21 shots.
Maybe Pittsburgh simply needs urgency. Now, with the threat of hitting the road down two games to none hanging over them, they’ll certainly feel that tonight.
And they’ve shown us over the last two years that they’re usually not a team you want to bet against in games with a lot on the line.
Expect Pittsburgh to strike back – hard. Tonight should be a message game with a victory margin of two or more goals.
NHL Betting Trends:
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Ottawa is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games when playing Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 6 games when playing at home against Ottawa
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ottawa’s last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ottawa’s last 6 games on the road
NHL Playoff Betting – Senators vs Penguins Game 2 Pick
Penguins -250 (Yes lay the price!!!!)
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