Its seventh heaven tonight, Tuesday April 27, between the Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes as one team will walk away winners to advance to the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the San Jose Sharks. Since 1939, home teams are 80-49 in Game 7, a .620 winning percentage. NHL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Red Wings as slim -120 moneyline road favorites over the Coyotes (-100) 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 7 Odds & Prediction in now at BODOG.com
The Red Wings aren’t accustomed to playing a seventh game on the road and hasn't won one since 1964. They Wings have to wins in Phoenix during this series and outscored them 11-5. One thing going for Detroit is they have multiple players with playoff experience. "We have a mentally strong group," said Kris Draper, a member of four Stanley Cup winners in Detroit. "We have a lot of leadership, a lot of experience, a lot of playoff games under our belt and now these are the experiences that we're going to draw from." The Wings were money in the bank on their powerplay during the first four games, after scoring five goals in four games on 17 tries. But, they have been scoreless in two straight and they must produce if they want to advance. Their penalty kill gave up three goals in Game 1 and Game 6, but in between the Wings shutout the Coyotes powerplay. Goalie Jimmy Howard has been great making his rookie playoff debut; he’s 3-3 with a 2.86 GAA with one shutout after giving up 17 goals in this series. The Red Wings are 4-4 overall in Game 7s since 1991, most recently losing to the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final last June.
The Coyotes are looking for their first playoff series win as the Coyotes. The last time the franchise advanced to the second round was when they were the Winnipeg Jets back in 1987. The Coyotes have only one win out of three at home against the Wings, when they won Game 1 3-2. Regardless, you can bet that Jobing.com Arena will be rocking and it will be up to the Coyotes to harness the atmosphere and use it to their advantage. "I've been involved in a few Game 7s. They're emotional games," said defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who played in four during his time in Florida and Vancouver. "Playing at home, you have to prepare to jump on (Detroit) early, feed off the crowd and try to set the tone of the game." The place is going to be wild and electric. You just have to go out, have fun and enjoy it." The Coyotes might finally see Captain Shane Doan hit the ice tonight after he was injured in Game 3. He practiced with the team Monday and intends to be in the lineup for this do-or-die battle if at all possible. The Coyotes' power play has run either hot or cold in this series, but it's hot once again after Mathieu Schneider, Radim Vrbata and Taylor Pyatt all connected during the Game 6 win. Schneider and Robert Lang, who set up Vrbata's goal, are former Red Wings. Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has held on with the best of them, but has had some upsetting losses; he’s 3-3 with a 3.01 GAA after giving up 18 goals in this series. The Coyotes are 0-4 all-time in Game 7 and Doan is the only player remaining from their most recent seventh game, against St. Louis in 1999.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 1-0-3 in the last 4 meetings in Phoenix.
- Over is 4-1-4 in the last 9 meetings.
- Road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Coyotes are 6-0 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 5 goals or more in their previous game.
- Coyotes are 11-3 in their last 14 games as a home underdog.
- Red Wings are 6-1 in their last 7 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
- Red Wings are 6-1 in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Red Wings are 4-9 in their last 13 vs. Pacific.
Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes
When: Tuesday April 27, 2010 9:00 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Coyotes -100
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 7 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Coyotes will be pumped and play their best to give the city of Phoenix something to be happy about. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Phoenix Coyotes Game 7 Odds & Predictions in now at SBGGLOBAL.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
