The Phoenix Coyotes have to bring their all tonight, Friday April 23, as they host the Detroit Red Wings in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarters. The Wings won Game 4, 3-0 as -203 home favs as the series sits knotted at two apiece. NHL oddsmakers at SPORTSBOOK.com have the Red Wings as -130 moneyline road favorites over the Coyotes (+110) with the over/under set at 5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 5 Odds & Prediction in now at SPORTSBOOK.com
The Wings got a huge win over the Coyotes during Game 4, but it was the great play of goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard was anything but brilliant in a 4-2 loss in Game 3 on Sunday, but he responded two nights later by making 29 saves for his first career playoff shutout. Henrik Zetterberg scored twice in the Red Wings' 3-0 victory. On Thursday, Howard was named as a finalist for the Calder Trophy. "He's worked hard on and off the ice to get to this point," veteran Chris Osgood, who told the Detroit Free Press. "He was right on track the whole time, and I think it's one, his attitude, and two, he's got a really good mental makeup to play here. He's obviously a talented player." The Wings are getting great offense from Henrik Zetterberg. Zetterberg enters Friday tied with Sidney Crosby, Nicklas Backstrom and Mikael Samuelsson for the postseason lead with five goals. His seven points leads the Wings. "We can't look at what we did (in Game 4) and automatically think we've regained control of this series," Zetterberg told the Free Press. "Everyone realizes that this will continue to be an extremely tough series. It's important for us now to build upon what we did in this game, but we expect them to come out (in Game 5) and play an inspired game."
The Coyotes will want to win in Phoenix, they have the edge with two of the final three games slated for Jobing.com Arena. Then again, the Coyotes have played two very different games on their home ice so far. Their power play was the story in Game 1, scoring all the goals in a 3-2 win, but their normally stingy defense was nowhere to be found in Game 2, as Zetterberg registered the hat trick in handing them a 7-4 defeat. "Our fans give us a great boost and we've used that as a motivating factor all season," coach Dave Tippett said. "We have to defend home ice and used it to our advantage. It's a very, tight, competitive series and so far we're deadlocked." Matthew Lombardi leads the Coyotes in scoring (one goal, four assists for five points) and had a five-game points streak dating back to the regular season before he and his teammates were blanked by Howard on Tuesday. When Derek Morris scored the game-winning goal in the series opener, the Coyotes were a perfect 3-for-3 on the power play. They've gone 0-for-14 since, and the task of advancing to the second round will be that much tougher if they can't get the PP going.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 5-1-2 in the last 8 meetings in Phoenix.
- Red Wings are 14-4-3 in the last 21 meetings in Phoenix.
- Over is 3-1-3 in the last 7 meetings.
- Red Wings are 26-9-6 in the last 41 meetings.
- Coyotes are 13-3 in their last 16 games as a home underdog.
- Coyotes are 4-1 in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes
When: Friday April 23, 2010 10:00 PM ET
Line: SPORTSBOOK.com
Pick: Coyotes +110
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 5 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: With a home crowd behind them the Yotes should get the win. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 5 Odds & Predictions in now at SPORTSBOOK.com and get a 50% Deposit Bonus and $25 Free Bet at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
