PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Game 4 TOTAL MASSACRE >> 8-3 Start to May!
(NHL) Washington vs. Pittsburgh,
Total: 5.00 | 120.00 Under
Result: Push
Total: 5.00 | 120.00 Under
Result: Push
The set-up: The perennially underachieving Capitals lost the first two games at home against the Penguins and then with Game 3 seemingly in hand, allowed two quick goals (less than a minute apart) and were headed to OT. However, defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk's power-play goal 3:13 into overtime on Monday allowed the Caps to see a light at the end of the tunnel. What's more, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was blasted with a cross-check to the head in the early part of Game 3 and the Penguins' transcendent superstar is in an all-to-familiar place; the NHL's concussion protocol (his history of concussions is well-chronicled,). Crosby has been ruled out for Game 4.
Washington: The reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals (also won Presidents' Trophy last season) now have a chance to even the series, although a loss at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh would leave them on the brink of elimination. Former Penguin Matt Niskanen delivered the hit on Crosby (he received a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct) but told reporters that it was "absolutely not" his intention to injure his former teammate. Putting aside the Crosby incident, the Caps got a quality performance from goalie Braden Holtby. He was pulled in Game 2 but during the regular season, he had registered a 3-1-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage in four games after being pulled. Yes, he gave up those two late goals but he stooped 30 of 32 shots in Game 3. Washington will need another effort like that.
Pittsburgh: Crosby will sit but fellow former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in eight playoff games and is no stranger to picking up the slack in the absence of "Sid the Kid." Fellow forward Phil Kessel is the next man up both figuratively and literally, as the 29-year-old's 12 points trailed only Malkin in the league entering Tuesday.
The pick: Washington's 3.14 GPG ranks 3rd in the NHL and Pittsburgh's the top-scoring team at 3.44 per. A "typical" Washington road game averages 5.82 goals and a home game for Pittsburgh averages 6.34. Emotions will be running high in this one and I expect goals to be scored. Make the Over an 10* play.
Washington: The reigning Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals (also won Presidents' Trophy last season) now have a chance to even the series, although a loss at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh would leave them on the brink of elimination. Former Penguin Matt Niskanen delivered the hit on Crosby (he received a five-minute major for cross-checking and a game misconduct) but told reporters that it was "absolutely not" his intention to injure his former teammate. Putting aside the Crosby incident, the Caps got a quality performance from goalie Braden Holtby. He was pulled in Game 2 but during the regular season, he had registered a 3-1-0 mark with one shutout, a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage in four games after being pulled. Yes, he gave up those two late goals but he stooped 30 of 32 shots in Game 3. Washington will need another effort like that.
Pittsburgh: Crosby will sit but fellow former Hart Trophy winner Evgeni Malkin leads the NHL with 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in eight playoff games and is no stranger to picking up the slack in the absence of "Sid the Kid." Fellow forward Phil Kessel is the next man up both figuratively and literally, as the 29-year-old's 12 points trailed only Malkin in the league entering Tuesday.
The pick: Washington's 3.14 GPG ranks 3rd in the NHL and Pittsburgh's the top-scoring team at 3.44 per. A "typical" Washington road game averages 5.82 goals and a home game for Pittsburgh averages 6.34. Emotions will be running high in this one and I expect goals to be scored. Make the Over an 10* play.
