Stanley Cup Picks – Penguins are back in the series
Just when NHL betting fans thought it was time to stop making Stanley Cup picks, the Penguins fought back and won a game. For much of Game 3, Detroit was actually the better team, but the Penguins shut down the Red Wings defensively when it mattered most. Have the Penguins made it a series again?
Stanley Cup picks: Game 4 Thursday, June 4 at 8:05 p.m. ET
- Pens’ physicality has swung the momentum
- Absence of Datsyuk putting too much pressure on Zetterberg
- Game 3 was a start, but Crosby needs to be even better
Arguably, Game 3 was a predictable result. After two straight games of outshooting the Red Wings and succumbing to bad bounces, the Penguins finally got a win. It’s always easier to play tenacious defense with a home crowd supporting you, so it’s no surprise that the Penguins had that extra spring in their step. They were more physical than ever in Game 3 – just ask poor Darren Helm, who got laid out twice – and their checking forwards gave Detroit huge headaches. Maxime Talbot was the best player on the ice, beating defenders to pucks and shooting from everywhere en route to a two-goal game.
OK, so the Pens won the game they were supposed to win. Now that the initial home energy surge has passed, can those who bet on sports expect the Penguins to truly be the better team in Game 4?
I think so. As good as the Wings have been so far in this series, and as much as they’re still in the driver’s seat, they’re showing a few alarming tendencies. For the first few games, they seemed to deliberately shoot from everywhere; as far as anyone making Stanley Cup picks could tell, the Wings had a brilliant gameplan, designed to spook Pens’ goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. However, after the Pens held Detroit to three shots in the third period of Game 3, you have to wonder if the Wings were actually shooting from everywhere in Games 1 and 2 because they had no other choice. Think about it – how many pretty passing plays or laser wristshot goals have we seen in the series from Marian Hossa, Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg? The bigger, stronger Pens are containing the Wings with their physicality.
A big reason why Detroit’s offense hasn’t exploded in this series is Pavel Datsyuk’s absence. Yes, he was terrible offensively throughout the playoffs before his maybe-broken foot sidelined him, but you can’t take his ripple effect for granted when you make your Stanley Cup picks. Even when he’s slumping, he’s still one of the NHL’s best playmakers, capable of making others around him better. As a great two-way player, he also takes both offensive and defensive pressure off Henrik Zetterberg. Stretched thin shadowing Sidney Crosby, Zetterberg’s playing too many minutes right now and is starting to look tired.
DON’S PICK: Despite the red flags surrounding the Wings, don’t expect a Pens blowout in Game 4. Detroit has too much talent not to start creating quality scoring chances, even without Datsyuk. However, if the Penguins stay physical with the smaller Wings – and Sidney Crosby starts firing the puck quicker instead of dancing – the Pens can even up this series. Expect Game 4 to be the best yet and don’t be surprised if it goes to overtime, but pick the Penguins at the sportsbook.
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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.
