Game 1 Stanley Cup Finals: Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins

May 24, 2008 | By Adam McLean | Picks Articles Archive

The NHL brass couldn’t have asked for a better Stanley Cup Final. The aged and experienced Detroit Red Wings host the young Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at Joe Louis Arena. Over the last nine years whoever has home ice advantage has won the Stanley Cup. Something the Pens don’t want to hear. Oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Red Wings as -170 moneyline favorites over the Penguins +150 with the over/under set at 5 ½. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com

GAME: Pittsburgh Penguins (59-29-4-4) at Detroit Red Wings (66-25-2-5)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 24 - 8:00 PM EST
LINE: SBGglobal.com TOTAL: 5 ½
PICK: Detroit -170

The Pens are 4-2 SU on the road where they’ve outscored their opponents 18-13. They went 1 for 1 on the road against Philly and 1 for 1 against the Rangers, so they are capable of winning on the road. In their last five games they’ve averaged 4.00 GAG and on the road they’ve averaged 2.64 GAG. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has been the best goalie throughout the playoffs, going 12-2 SU with a 1.70 GAA along with three shutouts. The key for the Pens tonight will be to stay out of the box, the Red Wings are chaulked full of talent on the power play. Pittsburgh relies heavily Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, who average more than 20 minutes of ice time for the Penguins. If this series drags on, that could be a key factor. Sidney Crosby is playing in just his second postseason ever, but the young Penguins captain is tied with Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg as the leading scorers in the playoffs with 21 points.

The Red Wings have been money at home, going 7-1 SU and outscoring their opponents 25-12. Their only home loss was Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against Dallas which they lost 1-2. At home they average 3.14 GAG and in their last five playoff games they’ve averaged 2.60 GAG. Goalie Chris Osgood has been stellar in net, going 10-2 SU with a 1.60 GAA along with a shutout. He’s given up 20 goals throughout the playoffs. Detroit’s defense is one of the best in the league; the three defensemen of Niklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Niklas Kronwall mean the Red Wings always have a blueliner on the ice. When you throw Brad Stuart and the ageless Chris Chelios into the mix, it’s easy to see why this team only allowed 2.15 goals per game this year. These defenseman are also the best in the league at blocking shots. The Wings will have to get their emotions in check and avoid the penalty box as the power play unit of Pittsburgh is deadly. It looks like Chelios will likely play with a leg injury for Detroit and the Wings are hoping to have their leading goal scorer Johan Franzen back by at least Game 2 after missing most of the Western Conference finals with concussions symptoms.

Recent Trends to Consider

Penguins are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
Penguins are 3-10 in their last 13 vs. Central.
Red Wings are 4-0 in their last 4 Stanley Cup Finals games.
Red Wings are 8-1 in their last 9 vs. Atlantic.
Red Wings are 23-3 in their last 26 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

The Bottom Line: The Pens are going to get a dose of playoff reality tonight when they face a Wings team steeped in playoff experience and talent. Both goalies are hot but Fleury hasn’t met a team that puts as many pucks on net as Detroit does. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com

Game 1 Stanley Cup Finals: Detroit Red Wings vs Pittsburgh Penguins

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