NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Penguins vs Canadiens – Game Four
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Team Records:
Pittsburgh: 47-28-7
Montreal: 39-33-10
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Pittsburgh leads series 2-1
Sportsbook odds:
Penguins: -180 -1.5 (+165) Over 5.5 (+110)
Canadiens: +160 +1.5 (-190) Under 5.5 (-130)
Canadiens vs. Penguins Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are playing another excellent series and have followed a game plan to almost perfection. Like they did in the series against the Washington Capitals, the Habs have done a masterful job at keeping the Penguins flow to the outside and not allowing penetration into the prime scoring areas. There is only one thing missing in their game plan however, offense.
The Pittsburgh Penguins preached patience after a Game 2 loss in which the emotional side of the game turned negative. Constantly frustrated by Montreal’s uber-tight checking, the Penguins appeared to lose focus and paid the price.
The Penguins are obviously the better team and if they stick to what made them successful this season, they should be OK.
The Pittsburgh Penguins were only able to generate 24 shots on goal in Game 3 and were only able to manufacture two goals, one of which was an empty netter with 13 seconds left. The Pens were forced to play without Bill Guerin on Tuesday night but Evgeni Malkin finally showed up in the series and scored the go-ahead goal.
Sidney Crosby was held pointless for the second consecutive game but played with more poise than in the previous game.
The difference on Tuesday night was Marc-Andre Fleury who made some incredible saves to keep the Penguins in the game.
He only faced 18 shots but most of them were of the quality variety. Fleury’s play was a welcome sight to Pittsburgh supporters everywhere.
The Montreal Canadiens are a pesky bunch aren’t they? The Habs hang around and compete in an unspectacular fashion. Sometimes it their sleepy play pays off and other times it does not.
In Game 3 it did not pay off. Brian Gionta had seven shots on goal while Mike Cammalleri had four shots and that is about it for the Montreal offense.
The Montreal defense is still doing its job. Ten games in the playoffs so far against two elite teams have shown that they belong.
However it does not matter how good the goaltending or the defense is, without scoring a team has no chance.
The Montreal Canadiens’ got shut out for the first time in 118 home playoff games on Tuesday night and got outshot 13-3 in the second period alone.
Obviously they are going to have to be better but something tells me that the clock has struck midnight on the Cinderella Canadiens. The Habs are a miserable 1-3 on home ice in these playoffs and are 1-8 in their last 9 at home in the post season.
The trend continues on Thursday.
NHL Betting Trends:
Coming Soon
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins
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