Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins look to take control over the Ottawa Senators tonight, Tuesday April 20, as the Pens lead the Eastern Conference Quarters 2-1. The Pens won Game 3, 4-2 as -114 road favs. NHL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Penguins as -145 moneyline road favorites over the Senators (+125) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators Game 4 Odds & Prediction in now at BODOG.com
The Penguins won Game 3 4-2 thanks to goals from Alexei Ponikarovsky, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby and Bill Guerin. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 20 of 22 shots and is 2-1 with a 2.69 GAA and a .905 SVPCT. The Pens best are producing and dominating. Crosby has two goals and five assists for Pittsburgh, while Evgeni Malkin has three goals and one assist . They are getting great defense especially from Brooks Orpik."By our count, in Game 2 Orpik had 15 hits," Bylsma said. "He's an intimidating, physical guy when he plays like that. He's an aggressive defender and a physical defender. You have to be aware of him on the ice. He's that type of defender, and the physicality with which he plays makes it tough to earn that time and space and scoring opportunities, that's why he's been effective for this team for a number of years." Sidney Crosby leads all postseason skaters with 5 assists and 7 points, he's been just as good in other areas. He's tied for the league lead in plus/minus with a plus-4. His five takeaways are second in the League, and he's won 61.4% of his faceoffs which is good for fifth best in the League.
The Senators will be playing for their lives tonight as they don’t want to go down 3-1 heading into Pittsburgh for Game 5.They need to do something big heading into what Captain Daniel Alfredsson called "the biggest game of the year." Though teams have fought back from 3-1 deficits, you can't imagine Sidney Crosby letting that happen to his team."We have to make sure we bring everything we have," Alfredsson said. "If we don't, we're in a real tough spot. So I think everyone is going to bring their best." Alfredsson and Jason Spezza have three assists apiece, but no goals. These two are expected to produce, but they can’t keep up the same pace by themselves. It’s a team effort. The Senators have the best power play in the playoffs, scoring four times in nine chances (44.4%). Six times the Senators have lost Game 3 in a series, and all three times they went on to lose the series .
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Penguins are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Ottawa.
- Road team is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
- Senators are 9-1 in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Senators are 5-1 in their last 6 games as a home underdog.
- Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Penguins are 6-0 in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
- Penguins are 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Northeast.
- Penguins are 24-6 in their last 30 playoff games as a favorite.
- Penguins are 10-3 in their last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators
When: Tuesday April 21, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Sens +125
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators Game 4 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: Call me crazy, but I think the Sens will rebound if they get production from all. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators Game 4 Odds & Predictions in now at BODOG.com and receive up to 10% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
