The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens tonight, Friday April 30, as the puck drops on Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Pittsburgh has won three of the four regular-season meetings, outscoring the Canadiens 9-2 in a pair of victories at Mellon Arena and 15-9 overall. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Penguins as -260 moneyline home favorites over the Canadiens (+220) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 Odds & Prediction in now at BETUS.com
The Canadiens took down Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals in dramatic fashion by winning Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals. They were outscored by the Caps 20-22, but it was the goaltending of Jaroslav Halak that stole the show. He allowed only three goals and stopped 131 of the 134 shots he faced in their last three games of the best of seven series. "It's crazy how fast it comes," defenseman Josh Gorges told NHL.com. "I think that is a good thing for us. We're coming off a high in that last series — three wins in a row — and we have to use that emotion we've had just recently and carry it through. The Penguins are well rested as the Habs look to carry their three game win streak into Pittsburgh. "Pittsburgh has been rested for a couple of days and they are going to come out flying and we know that, but we have to use this emotion we're on. I don't think anyone in this room will say we're tired. We're all excited." The Habs had a brilliant penalty kill against the Caps high powered offense; which allowed just one goal in the entire series. Montreal must come up with a plan to defeat the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Halak had an 4.20 goals-against average in two regular-season meetings against Pittsburgh. Halak improved to 10-0-1 this season when facing 40-or-more shots. Montreal's penalty kill survived 32 of 33 shorthanded situations in the series against Washington. Amazingly, the Canadiens had two shorthanded goals to Washington's one power-play goal.
The Penguins are riding the red hot streak of Sidney Crosby’s 14 points in six-games, which is the best of his already legendary career. Penguins also showed incredible depth in the first round as 12 different players scored goals. Third-line forward Matt Cooke had two goals in Game 6's come-from-behind victory in OT. Jordan Staal had the primary assist on Pascal Dupuis’s series-winning goal. That depth will provide a far much bigger test for a Montreal defense that kept Alex Ovechkin and company in check for long periods of time in the most recent series. A good thing going for Pitt is their offense attacks from ever area in their opponent’s zone, which could test Halak to the max. Crosby had a dominating first round against Ottawa, scoring 5 goals and adding 9 assists, all in the first five games of the series. Cooke had three goals in the first round, including two rebound goals as the Penguins clawed back from a 3-0 deficit in Game 6. Evgeni Malkin has struggled some during 5-on-5 play, but has been a force with the man advantage. Malkin has averaged better than a point per game in each of his past five playoff series, recording 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) in 30 games. He had 8 points (4 goals) against Ottawa in the last round.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Favorite is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
- Home team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Canadiens are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
- Canadiens are 4-1 in their last 5 games as a road underdog.
- Penguins are 3-8 in their last 11 games following a win.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games.
- Penguins are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins
When: Friday April 30, 2010 7:00 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Canadiens +220
Point-Spreads.com 2010 NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: I think the Habs will win based on their hot streak beating out the best, plus they won’t be cold having rested for too long. Be sure to get your 2010 NHL Playoffs: Montreal Canadiens vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 1 Odds & Predictions in now at BETUS.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
