Penguins vs Red Wings odds - Pens will get their sweet revenge

Finally, the Stanley Cup Final odds have arrived. As UFC fans await the big Lesnar/Mir rematch, it seems all too fitting that hockey betting players get their ultimate rematch too. The Penguins have overcome a roller coaster of a season to reach the final, whereas the Wings have been steady as can be. Will experience trump youth again, or have the Penguins evolved?

• WHO: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings
• WHAT: Best-of-Seven Series for Stanley Cup
• WHEN: Game 1 date TBD
• WHERE: Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
• KEY STAT: Including regular season and playoffs, Penguins are 30-8-4 under head coach Dan Bylsma
• THE PICK: Penguins in six

In picking NHL lines as tough as this one, it’s best to be meticulous. Let’s break down each facet of the game:

OFFENSE

Like choosing between Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox, picking which of these two potent offenses is better is very difficult. The Wings certainly have the depth advantage; Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen can all dominate a game on any given night, and supporting players like Daniel Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson chip in clutch goals here and there. However, it’s clear now that Datsyuk has been playing hurt and won’t be 100 per cent for the rest of these playoffs; entering Game 5 against Chicago, he had a measly one goal and seven points in 13 games, a far cry from his 97-point regular season.

There’s no denying that the Pens have two of the top three offensive players in the world in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and both are playing the best hockey of their careers right now. They seem to alternate taking over games and Dan Bylsma has gotten the most out of them by often double-shifting them, creating the effect of having three or four superstars in the lineup. The Pens star power coupled with Dastyuk’s injury woes give the Pens a miniscule advantage here, especially since Datsyuk’s defensive shutdown ability will be neutralized too.

Online sports book edge: Penguins

DEFENSE

Think Rocky versus Apollo Creed here. The Penguins are a scrappy, plucky unit that battles hard but lacks talent, especially with Sergei Gonchar not at 100 per cent. Kris Letang and Alex Goligoski have upside, but they’re young and mistake-prone when they’re in the lineup. Guys like Brooks Orpik and Hal Gill are the types of battlers any playoff team would like have, but they’re more blunt instruments than sharp tools and they sometimes get into penalty trouble, though they’ve been surprisingly disciplined so far in NHL betting this season.

The Wings are a deep ,talented unit. We all know what Nicklas Lidstrom can do with his masterful positioning and anticipation and, even if he’s hobbled or out of the lineup to start the series, Niklas Kronwall and Brad Stuart more than pick up the slack. They’re well-rounded defenders – especially the budding star Kronwall – and they intimidate opposing forwards with big hits. Brian Rafalski is tiny but makes up for his so-so defensive game with his offensive creativity.

Online sports book edge: Red Wings

GOALTENDING

No contest here. Forget the whole “Chris Osgood gets no respect” debate; the Pens advantage isn’t about Osgood’s shortcomings. It’s about Marc-Andre Fleury’s ability. Osgood has a pair of rings from Stanley Cup betting victories, he’s been rock-solid this postseason and he was phenomenal in last year’s Cup run (14-4 ,1.55, .930). However, Fleury was just as good last playoffs (1.97, .933) despite facing way more rubber. Fleury is younger and more athletic, and has proven that pressure doesn’t scare him. Even if Osgood’s resurgence continues, Fleury is the better puckstopper and more capable of stealing a game.

Online sports book edge: Penguins

SPECIAL TEAMS

Traditionally, the Red Wings are the picture of special-team success, but they’ve only held up one end of the bargain. The star-studded power play of Detroit has terrorized hockey betting opponents; it sparkled at league-leading 25.5 per cent in the regular season and has been even better in the playoffs. However, likely due to Datsyuk’s ailment, the penalty kill has been positively putrid in Stanley Cup betting this season.

The Penguins’ power play could never be terrible with Crosby and Malkin on the ice but it doesn’t truly go unless Gonchar is healthy and booming away from the point. The Pens’ penalty killers are a courageous group, led by Maxime Talbot, and but will have their hands full no matter who Detroit sends out with the man advantage.

Online sports book edge: Even

DON’S PICK: In 1984, the Edmonton Oilers met the New York Islanders for the second straight year. One dynasty passed the torch to another, as the Oilers evolved from their previous loss and triumphed. The Penguins will do the same now. They’ve matured greatly after losing last year and struggling early this season, they’ve been the best team in the league since Dan Bylsma took over as coach, and they’re fresher than the hobbled Red Wings after sweeping the Hurricanes. Bet on the Penguins to win the Stanley Cup – and they’ll do it on home ice. Penguins in six.

For sports betting lines and Stanley Cup betting analysis, check the Betting Edge at betonline.com for updates throughout the series.

Who better to offer great sports betting and hockey tips than a native Canadian? Like any good Canuck, Don Melrose eats, sleeps, breathes and bets hockey, making him the perfect NHL handicapper. Thoughts or questions?