Apr 16, 2008 | By Stan Leung | Picks Articles Archive
2008 Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
Pittsburgh Penguins (-175) vs. Ottawa Senators (+155)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 7:05 PM EST
Over/Under: 5
NHL playoff betting pick: Over 5
I still think the Ottawa Senators can win at least one game. Sportsbook oddsmakers currently have the Pittsburgh Penguins listed as 175 road moneyline favorites versus the Ottawa Senators, with the game's total is sitting at 5 at Scotiabank Place tonight. For my longshot NHL playoff betting pick I will lay some money for the Sens to win at home for a good +155. For me the +155 are great online NHL betting odds I can not pass up.
However, I am not recommending that bet as today I am recommending the safer bet and that is the Over. There are just too many weapons on both teams like Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza, Antoine Vermette, Cory Stillman, Nick Foligno and Daniel Alfredsson even though his is not quite healthy. The Pens have the best one two combo in the NHL offensive wise with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Combined with Gary Roberts, Jordan Staal, Ryan Malone, Petr Sykora, and Marian Hossa, I really do not see a low scoring game tonight. Pens goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has played ok and has not shined like people expected and the Senators have been plagued by goalie problems all year with inconsistent play by Ray Emery and Martin Gerber. The best word for the Sens goalies is fragile.
Goals are the key for Ottawa as Senators' head coach Bryan Murray suggested he will put the big line of captain Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley back together in Game 4. The trio accounted for 115 goals and and 263 points in the regular season. Head to head the Over record is 7-3-3 in the last 13 meetings in Ottawa and the Penguins Over is 6-2 in their last 8 games versus Northeast Division teams. Timing wise the Penguins Over record is 11-3 in their last 14 games playing on 1 days rest and the Senators Over record is 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
Bottom Line: Too many weapons and shaky goaltending on both ends to have a low scoring game. The Senators will play hard and will press the action on the net just to get goals and win tonight.
A few trends to consider:
NHL Betting: Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks
Minnesota Wild vs Chicago Blackhawks, NHL Pick Minnesota 2.25
NHL Playoff Betting, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks
NHL Betting: Pittsburgh Penguins at N.Y. Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Phoenix Coyotes at L.A. Kings
Calgary Flames at Phoenix Coyotes
NHL Betting Lines and Picks
Dallas Stars vs Phoenix Coyotes: Pick Dallas -130
Minnesota Wild vs Atlanta Thrashers