PREMIUM
Rogers' Game 7 SHOWDOWN >> RIDICULOUS 57-26-2 L19 Days! +$28K in May!
(NHL) Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh,
Money Line: 180.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: 180.00 Ottawa (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Ottawa Senators bounced back from a 7-0 drubbing in Game 5 and forced the reigning Stanley Cup champions into a decisive Game 7 in the Eastern Conference finals, with a 2-1 win at home on Tuesday. Craig Anderson, after getting shell-shocked in Game 6, had 45 saves in the Game 6 victory. Ottawa now has a chance to advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 2007 and deny Pittsburgh a return trip when they visit the Penguins in Pittsburgh at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday night.
The Penguins are bidding to become the first team to make back-to-back appearances in the Cup Final since they turned the trick in 2008-09,
Ottawa: Craig Anderson was away from the team for half the season to be with his wife during her cancer treatments, so the fact the he bounced back this postseason, has made for a great story. "It starts with the goalie," Senators head coach Guy Boucher said. "It's like a quarterback in football and a pitcher in baseball, and we have it. We got that guy." Veteran Bobby Ryan scored just 13 times in 62 regular-season games but has six goals in 18 playoff contests after his tying tally in Game 6. Ryan's goal also ended Ottawa's 0-for-29 power-play drought. Karlsson, despite playing severely injured, remains the team's top scorer with 16 points (2 goals / 14 assists).
Pittsburgh: The Penguins have the luxury of sending out a pair of Conn Smythe Trophy winners in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who guided the team to Cup titles in 2016 and 2009, respectively. Crosby had scored in three straight games prior to Tuesday's 2-1 setback and is tied for second in the postseason in scoring with 19 points. Malkin scored Pittsburgh's lone goal in Game 6 to boost his playoff-leading total to 24 points (7 goals / 17 assists). Fleury was not Pittsburgh's problem (lack of scoring was) but Murray has been terrific since replacing him, turning aside 96 of 101 of shots (.950 SP).
The pick: The Penguins are big favorites here at home in Game 7 but they have a checkered history in winner-takes-all matchups on home ice, with an all-time record of just 3-7! Similarly, Ottawa has never won a Game 7 (0-5 in its previous tries) but note that Anderson is 3-1 with a 0.76 goals-against average in his last four starts when facing elimination. Losing here in Game 7 would mean failing to defend last year's Stanley Cup championship for for Pittsburgh while for Ottawa, a win would be a jubilant upset. The pressure is all on Pittsburgh and I'll make Ottawa an 8* play.
The Penguins are bidding to become the first team to make back-to-back appearances in the Cup Final since they turned the trick in 2008-09,
Ottawa: Craig Anderson was away from the team for half the season to be with his wife during her cancer treatments, so the fact the he bounced back this postseason, has made for a great story. "It starts with the goalie," Senators head coach Guy Boucher said. "It's like a quarterback in football and a pitcher in baseball, and we have it. We got that guy." Veteran Bobby Ryan scored just 13 times in 62 regular-season games but has six goals in 18 playoff contests after his tying tally in Game 6. Ryan's goal also ended Ottawa's 0-for-29 power-play drought. Karlsson, despite playing severely injured, remains the team's top scorer with 16 points (2 goals / 14 assists).
Pittsburgh: The Penguins have the luxury of sending out a pair of Conn Smythe Trophy winners in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, who guided the team to Cup titles in 2016 and 2009, respectively. Crosby had scored in three straight games prior to Tuesday's 2-1 setback and is tied for second in the postseason in scoring with 19 points. Malkin scored Pittsburgh's lone goal in Game 6 to boost his playoff-leading total to 24 points (7 goals / 17 assists). Fleury was not Pittsburgh's problem (lack of scoring was) but Murray has been terrific since replacing him, turning aside 96 of 101 of shots (.950 SP).
The pick: The Penguins are big favorites here at home in Game 7 but they have a checkered history in winner-takes-all matchups on home ice, with an all-time record of just 3-7! Similarly, Ottawa has never won a Game 7 (0-5 in its previous tries) but note that Anderson is 3-1 with a 0.76 goals-against average in his last four starts when facing elimination. Losing here in Game 7 would mean failing to defend last year's Stanley Cup championship for for Pittsburgh while for Ottawa, a win would be a jubilant upset. The pressure is all on Pittsburgh and I'll make Ottawa an 8* play.
