Senators vs Penguins NHL Spread/Handicapping
Well, it certainly looked as if the Ottawa Senators incredible season was in its twilight Wednesday night when they lost Game 4 at home 7-3. Did it not seem like it was only a matter of time? The Penguins had peppered Senators goaltender Craig Anderson with 50 shots in a 2-1 double overtime loss in Game 3 on Sunday, but the offensive juggernaut would not be denied a second game in a row.
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Ottawa Senators (30-21-2-4) at Pittsburgh Penguins (43-14-1-0)
When: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, May 24, 2013
Where: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast: CBC, RDS, NBCSN
Pens lead series 3-1
Sens vs. Pens Betting Lines
Ottawa Senators +1½ -165 +190 Ov 5½ +100
Pittsburgh Penguins -1½ +145 -210 Un 5½ -110
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Pens Look to Close Sens Out Sens in Game 5
All of the firepower finally overwhelmed the Sens Wednesday and now the Pens have their foot on the throats of the Sens. But as we all know Game 4 is often the toughest to win. Pittsburgh ran into a similar situation two years ago when it took a 3-1 lead in the first round against Tampa Bay only to lose in seven games, including a 1-0 defeat at home in Game 7.
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The defeat dropped Pittsburgh to 0-6 at home in potential series-clinching wins under Coach Dan Bylsma – something they hope to change Friday.
The Ottawa Senators looked beat in Game 4. Every time they did something good, the Pens almost immediately responded with a game tying goal, a big hit or a drawn penalty. The Sens were up 2-1 after 20 minutes of play but surrendered six straight goals to take the wind out of their sails.
Daniel Alfredsson has goals in consecutive games for the Senators and a team-leading 10 points for the playoffs – he leads the team into perhaps his last game as an NHL star. Ottawa is getting some offense but not enough to keep up with the Penguins who were NHL’s highest scoring team of the regular season and are also the highest scoring team of the playoffs, averaging nearly a full goal a game better than the other seven teams remaining in the field.
Craig Anderson has done his best in goal for Ottawa but the constant pressure and barrage of action has seen him get chased two times in the series. I suppose he could steal another one Friday but that seems unlikely with all of the Penguins seemingly over their funks and with absolutely everyone contributing in the offensive zone.
Pittsburgh tilted the ice for the better part of three periods Tuesday, dumping the puck deep into Ottawa’s end then using its speed and aggressive forecheck to smother Ottawa to within a game of its season. This Penguins team looks nearly impossible to stop! [ad-4437448]
In Game 4 Chris Neal broke out of a slump and recorded three points doubling his total for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Kris Letang had four assists and Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves to win his fifth game in six starts for the Penguins. Jarome Iginla also had two goals, Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis had a goal and an assist each and Chris Kunitz got the other goal for the Penguins. Everybody chipped in Tuesday night and everybody is seemingly on a high heading into Thursday night`s game at home.
Between the pipes, Tomas Vokoun has been good – and good is all he needs to be in front of the scariest team in the NHL. He is now 5-1-1 with a 1.82 GAA and terrific .942 save percentage in the playoffs. Solid goaltending is all the Pens needed heading into this year`s postseason and it looks like they have found it in Vokoun.
Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 15-5-6 in OTT last 26 vs. Atlantic.
• Under is 36-16-11 in OTT last 63 overall.
• OTT are 16-35 in their last 51 Fri. games.
• PIT are 41-12 in their last 53 home games.
• PIT are 40-12 in their last 52 overall.
• Under is 13-5 in PIT last 18 home games.
• Over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings.
It’s been a nice season for the Ottawa Senators – that’s for sure. But they have run into a buzz saw in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Back at home expect the Pens to ramp up the effort in attempts to end this series early. Pittsburgh has been and continues to be the team to beat for the Cup this year – Thursday night will further prove why!
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -210
