PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Game 5 **BEST BET** >> Won Games 2, 3 AND 4! Off 4-0 SWEEP Wednesday!
(NHL) Nashville vs. Pittsburgh,
Total: 5.50 | 110.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 5.50 | 110.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Nashville Predators have been the better team in the Cup Final but the series is tied at two-all with Game 5 looming tonight in Pittsburgh. The Penguins' high-octane offense scored just one goal each in Games 3 and 4, while the Predators were able to score five and four goals against a suddenly shaky Murray. "We're confident our team will respond the right way, as they always have all season long," Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said. "I believe we have great leadership in our room. We've got good players. They understand the circumstances and we've felt as though, with each game that we've played here, our team game is getting stronger." The Predators will try to continue the play that's seen them outplay the Penguins in all four games. "Two-out-of-three now. It's pedal down. We're ready," Nashville headcoach Peter Laviolette said.
Nashville: Goaltender Pekka Rinne silenced critics by stopping 50 of 52 shots in his last two games to improve to 9-1 at home in the postseason, but his play in Pittsburgh leaves plenty to be desired. He allowed eight goal on just 36 shots in the first two games (.778 save percentage) and has lost all five of his career decisions in Pittsburgh. 24-year-old rookie Frederick Gaudreau had one assist in nine regular-season NHL games in his career. but continued his brilliant series by scoring the winning goal in both Games 3 and 4.
Pittsburgh: The Penguins retooled their top line in practice on Wednesday, with Conor Sheary rejoining rookie Jake Guentzel, who leads the postseason with 13 goals, and regular-season goals leader Sidney Crosby. By the way, Crosby ended his Stanley Cup Final drought of 12 games without a goal by tallying in Monday's 4-1 setback but it was a meaningless goal. All of a sudden, Pittsburgh now has goaltender issues. Matt Murray allowed eiight goals on 58 shots in the last two contests (.862 SP) and in a move that mirrors that of Nashville's Peter Laviolette prior to Game 3, Sullivan refused to reveal the identity of his starting netminder.
The pick: Rinne regained his mojo with a return home and I expect the same from Murray. Getting back to Rinne, he has plenty to prove after his poor play at Pittsburgh in Games 1 and 2 and I expect him to rise to the challenge, as well. It helps that Pittsburgh sputtering power play is just 1-for-16 in the first four contests of the Stanley Cup Final, with its lone goal coming on a 5-on-3 advantage in Game 1. Make the Under a 10* play.
Nashville: Goaltender Pekka Rinne silenced critics by stopping 50 of 52 shots in his last two games to improve to 9-1 at home in the postseason, but his play in Pittsburgh leaves plenty to be desired. He allowed eight goal on just 36 shots in the first two games (.778 save percentage) and has lost all five of his career decisions in Pittsburgh. 24-year-old rookie Frederick Gaudreau had one assist in nine regular-season NHL games in his career. but continued his brilliant series by scoring the winning goal in both Games 3 and 4.
Pittsburgh: The Penguins retooled their top line in practice on Wednesday, with Conor Sheary rejoining rookie Jake Guentzel, who leads the postseason with 13 goals, and regular-season goals leader Sidney Crosby. By the way, Crosby ended his Stanley Cup Final drought of 12 games without a goal by tallying in Monday's 4-1 setback but it was a meaningless goal. All of a sudden, Pittsburgh now has goaltender issues. Matt Murray allowed eiight goals on 58 shots in the last two contests (.862 SP) and in a move that mirrors that of Nashville's Peter Laviolette prior to Game 3, Sullivan refused to reveal the identity of his starting netminder.
The pick: Rinne regained his mojo with a return home and I expect the same from Murray. Getting back to Rinne, he has plenty to prove after his poor play at Pittsburgh in Games 1 and 2 and I expect him to rise to the challenge, as well. It helps that Pittsburgh sputtering power play is just 1-for-16 in the first four contests of the Stanley Cup Final, with its lone goal coming on a 5-on-3 advantage in Game 1. Make the Under a 10* play.
