Hockey Gambling<\/strong><\/a> fans sure are getting their money\u2019s worth from the\u00a0free nhl picks<\/strong><\/a> we give out here at Capperspicks.com.<\/p>\n Team Records:<\/strong><\/p>\n Ottawa: 44-32-6 Tonight, 7:00 p.m. ET Sens vs. Penguins Preview – Senators lead series 1-0 <\/strong><\/p>\n It sure has been a wacky start to the playoffs, hasn\u2019t it? Seven of the eight series are under way and just two of the favorites \u2013 Buffalo and Vancouver \u2013 opened their conference quarter-final matchups with wins. <\/p>\n Remember, bettors \u2013 series are best-of-seven for a reason. Don\u2019t panic yet. Case-in-point: the Senators visiting the defending champion Penguins in Game 2. <\/p>\n Well, that was a bit unexpected. Virtually every bettor, hockey expert or fan would tell you that the Senators simply don\u2019t measure up to Pittsburgh in the talent or experience department. <\/p>\n The Pens have world-class scorers in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, not to mention a \u201cbig-game\u201d 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Fleury has always been inconsistent. Even during the Pens\u2019 back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup final over the last two seasons, he had his off nights. <\/p>\n If there\u2019s one thing he\u2019s taught us over that span, however, it\u2019s that he\u2019s also resilient. He fights off bad games and comes back stronger than ever, often with acrobatic, show-stealing performances. <\/p>\n It\u2019s 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\u2019s not like Brian Elliott flourished in his first career playoff start, either. He allowed four goals on just 21 shots.
\nPittsburgh: 47-28-7 <\/p>\n
\nSportsbook odds: Senators:<\/strong> +210
\nPenguins:<\/strong> -250 <\/p>\n