Stanley Cup Picks – Wings will cement their dynasty status
Stanley Cup Picks are great because they usually give you second chances. If you flub your Game 1 pick, you can always bounce back with Game 2. But now, the time for second chances is over. NHL betting culminates in one deciding matchup this Friday night. Who will hoist the Lord Stanley’s Mug – Pittsburgh or Detroit?
Stanley Cup Picks: Can Penguins finally evolve on the road?
- WHAT: Stanley Cup Final, Game 7
- WHERE: Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI
- WHEN: Friday, June 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET
- KEY STATS: Sidney Crosby has no points in three games in Detroit during this series; the home team has one the last seven Game 7s in the Stanley Cup Final
- THE MONEY LINES: Penguins +150, Red Wings -170
- THE PICK: Red Wings -170
As I stated prior to Game 6, there wasn’t much for those who bet on sports to learn on Tuesday night. We all knew how good the Penguins were on home ice – especially Marc-Andre Fleury. The big questions come now. Can the Penguins find a way to focus at Joe Louis Arena and prove they’ve matured? Let’s break down the possible outcomes for Game 7 to help us make our final Stanley Cup picks.
WHY THE PENGUINS WILL WIN GAME 7
Interestingly, the possible advantages the Penguins have for Game 7 are the same ones they had when entering the Stanley Cup Final. First off, they still have two of the top three players in the world. Even though they haven’t played like it for most of this series, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still have the talent to explode at any moment. If one game to decide it all can’t motivate them to find themselves on the road, nothing can.
Second, while they don’t truly have a goaltending “advantage” in this series – Chris Osgood has been rock-steady and has the inside track on the Conn Smythe Trophy – they still have the more talented goaltender. As Marc-Andre proved in Game 6 with his 13 spectacular third-period saves, he can steal games. When he’s on, he can help the Penguins win even when they’re outplayed. Can he finally find himself on the road?
The one true NHL betting advantage the Penguins have no matter what is size and strength. The Penguins’ grinding defenders have been both physical and disciplined for five out of six games – check out Brooks Orpik and Rob Scuderi’s shot blocking! – and have definitely worn down the Detroit forwards. Marian Hossa in particular seems frustrated and sore after taking blow after blow without scoring a goal in this series. The “D” has to stay mean while avoiding lazy stick penalties for the Penguins to succeed as Stanley Cup picks. On the forecheck, Jordan Staal, Tyler Kennedy and Maxime Talbot have had a marvelous series, beating the Detroit defense more often than not. Again, though, they have to do so on the road in Game 7. Do you see a theme here?
WHY THE RED WINGS WILL WIN GAME 7
If the Penguins are boom/bust Stanley Cup picks, the Red Wings are even keel. We know exactly what we’re getting with them, and Chris Osgood is the best example of that truth. He’s been Detroit’s most reliable player throughout these playoffs, always stopping the shots he’s supposed to stop and occasionally stopping shots he isn’t supposed to. Whatever happens in Game 7, you shouldn’t bet at the offshore sportsbook on Osgood being the goat.
Pavel Datsyuk’s return seriously jolted the lineup in Game 5 and, while he didn’t have the same impact in Game 6, there’s still plenty to unfold in this story. Datsyuk is playing through what could be a serious foot injury, but NHL betting fans must remember that he’s much tougher than he gets credit for. He’s not afraid to go into high-traffic areas and he almost relishes the battle of playing through pain according to his interviews. No matter how sore he is, he’ll leave it all on the ice. It’s Game 7, for cryin’ out loud. Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg will do everything in their power to slow down Crosby and Malkin, as they’ve done so well in this series, and they’ll continue creating chances with their strong playmaking skills.
If the Penguins get into any kind of penalty trouble, especially early in the game when the crowd is rowdy, Game 7 could be over in a hurry. The Wings’ power play is humming along at 24.2 percent and it exploded in Game 5 with four goals.
THE FINAL PICK
The concept of home-ice advantage exists for a reason; to give the team that earned it a leg up in the event of a deciding game. As much as the Penguins have shown in their three wins this season, they’re simply not the same team on the road. Crosby has been silent, Fleury has looked rattled, and the Pens’ discipline has been spotty. It’s a romantic idea to think the Pens will conquer their demons and shock the Red Wings on the road, but they’ve done nothing at Joe Louis Arena to suggest that will happen. Let’s also remember who they’re facing: the defending champs, at home, going for their fifth Stanley Cup in 13 seasons.
Bet on the Detroit Red Wings to win Game 7.
Hope you’ve enjoyed our Stanley Cup picks at the Betting Edge! Keep reading for more sports betting tips and futures analysis throughout the offseason.
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.
