This series is over; it's not a matter of if, but when. The Pittsburgh Penguins have demolished the Ottawa Senators, who trounced them in last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. BetOnline.com has the Pittsburgh Penguins -160 odds favorites against the Ottawa Senators +140 with the over/under set at 5 goals.
Pittsburgh has been mostly good and at times dominant, racking up a 13-4 goals advantage through three games. The Senators actually played well through two periods, heading into the third tied at one goal apiece. But the Penguins exploded, as Sidney Crosby, Marian Hossa and Jordan Staal found the back of the net and blew the game open. Crosby and Hossa have combined for 12 points in three playoff games together.
Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson made a surprising return to the lineup; he hadn't even practiced with teammates before joining the warm up and deciding to play. He looked off his game, avoiding contact for most of the evening, though coach Bryan Murray commended his effort for trying to return to action ahead of schedule. If any finger pointing is required, it should be sent in Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza's direction. The two forwards, who each averaged over a point a game this season, have come up lame in the postseason. Heatley and Spezza have combined for two points in three games.
The Ottawa Senators are cooked; all that remains to be asked is whether or not they have one win left in them. The Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling on all cylinders. Not only are they scoring, but young netminder Marc-Andre Fleury has been quietly brilliant (posting a 1.34 goals against average and stopping 86 of 90 shots). Momentum belongs to the Pens and the betting line will reflect that. They finish the series off on Wednesday. Get your Free NHL Playoffs Pick in Now!
Pittsburgh Penguins at Ottawa Senators, Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. ET
Free NHL Playoffs Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins
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