Stanley Cup Picks - Penguins need to show signs of life
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Those betting online made Stanley Cup picks last week and, while most favored the Red Wings, few predicted the Penguins would be on the verge of oblivion after just two games. They’re not officially on the ropes yet; they’re down 2-0 but they’re heading home, and they were in this exact spot before coming back against Washington. However, if they want to make this NHL betting series interesting, they have a heck of a lot to prove in Game 3.
Stanley Cup Picks: Penguins -155 for Game 3
- Sidney Crosby has to show up
- Red Wings are in Marc-Andre Fleury’s head
- Penguins aren’t capitalizing on their size advantage
During my original Stanley Cup picks breakdown, I gave the Penguins the goaltending edge given that Marc-Andre Fleury was younger and more athletic than Chris Osgood, not to mention much better during the regular season. So far in Stanley Cup betting, though, the Red Wings have done everything in their power to erase that suppose edge. After Fleury gave up a fluky goal in Game 1 on a bounce from the boards behind the net, the Red Wings seemed to deliberately shoot from strange angles in Game 2. Bank shots from behind the net, long shots, screen shots – you name it, the Red Wings tried it. The Wings’ effort culminated in Justin Abdelkader’s cross-body knuckleball goal through a pair of Penguins defenders. The Wings appeared to get into Fleury’s head and the Detroit faithful joined in, heckling him throughout the third period.
For the Penguins to keep this a series and justify their value as Stanley Cup picks, Fleury has to shake off the distraction and focus, particularly because Chris Osgood has been amazingly steady for the Wings in goal – so much, in fact, that he may be the current frontrunner for the Conn Smythe. To help Fleury bounce back, the Penguins defense also has to do a better job clearing the Red Wing forwards from in front of the net. In Game 3, that should happen; the Pens are the bigger, stronger team, particularly in the back end, and the likes of Brooks Orpik and Hal Gill should be hitting harder behind their home crowd in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh also needs more from Sidney Crosby. The phenom has been held pointless through two games by the smothering Red Wing defense and simply must find that extra gear from within himself, as the Wings won’t let up.
DON’S PICK: The Penguins have proven their resiliency time and time again throughout these playoffs - coming from behind in individual games and series - so it’s too early to write them off at the offshore sportsbook. Expect them to be the more energetic bunch in Game 3 and finally get to Chris Osgood. Sid the Kid is still too good to stay down for long, so he should find the scoresheet. Bet on the Penguins.
For sports betting lines and more Stanley Cup picks, visit the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com.
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? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
