The Pittsburgh Penguins look to rebound from their Game 1 loss tonight, May 4, against the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. The Capitals led the Pens 4-1 in the regular season outscoring them 18-14 and the Caps lead the best of seven series 1-0. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Capitals as -125 moneyline favs over the Penguins (+105) with the over/under posted at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Pens Sidney Crosby missed an open net with 1:45 left to put the Pens ahead 3-2, but Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov was having none of that. Crosby had the puck coming his way with Varlamov well out of position. A routine wrister off the feed was all that was needed. Varlamov spun around and managed to stop the puck with the heel of his stick just at the goal line. Crosby made a left turn and raised his right hand as if to celebrate, then kept skating when he realized that the puck was not in the net. They lost 2-3 despite goals from Sidney Crosby and Mark Eaton. The Penguins outshot the Capitals 37-26 and controlled much of the first period. Both goals were at even strength as their power play woes continue. They haven’t scored on the power play in four straight games, or 17 tries. Their penalty kill has allowed two goals in their last two games, or five kills. "There are times when you lose and you feel like 'Jeez, we've got to go back and make some huge adjustments here,' and that's not the case this last game," Crosby said. "We felt like we did some really good things. We want to make sure our power play's better, but for the most part we did a lot of good things."Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is 4-3 in the playoffs with a 2.48 GAA after allowing 18 goals to get past him.
The Caps hero isn’t Alex Ovechkin anymore, now its rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov. The 21-year-old Varlamov had played in only six regular season NHL games before this postseason. Getting a chance after Jose Theodore was benched after Game 1 of the first-round series against the New York Rangers, the young Russian is now 5-2 with a 1.29 goals against average and a .950 save percentage in seven playoff starts. He was won four straight games, tying the Capitals franchise record. "It's good goaltending," Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said. "He made some big saves, key saves, and that means we've got to get more chances and second chances at him." You can bet the Pens will be more dominant in front of the net and the Caps defense will have to been on their toes. The Caps got goals from David Steckel, Alex Ovechkin and Tomas Fleischmann. Alexander Semin leads his teammates with five goals while Ovechkin is close behind with four.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings in Washington.
- Over is 20-8 in the last 28 meetings.
- Penguins are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Washington.
- Road team is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings.
- Penguins are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.
- Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 Conference Semifinals games.
- Penguins are 6-2 in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals
When: Mon, May 4, 2009 7:30 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Pens +105
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals
The Bottom Line: The Pens are going to put more pressure around the net and they’ll want to get in the face of their red hot goalie. Go Pens! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit
