The Washington Capitals have a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals over the Pittsburgh Penguins as Game 3 takes place tonight, May 6, in Pittsburgh. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Penguins as -165 moneyline favs over the Capitals (+145) with the over/under posted at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com
The Capitals got an outstanding performance from Alex Ovechkin who got his first playoff hat trick on the night. He scored the winning goal in the dying seconds of the game. Goalie Simeon Varlamov has been great between the pipes, he’s 6-2 in the playoffs with a 1.51 GAA after allowing just 12 goals. While the Penguins will rely on desperation, the Capitals might draw motivation from Kunitz's late-game hit on Caps goalie Simeon Varlamov that Boudreau called "pretty vicious." Ovechkin called it worse than that. "Yeah, I think it's dirty … it's cheap shot and it's not good for hockey," Ovechkin said. "I can't imagine if he gives him injury. If it's not going to be called, it's going to be a terrible decision and I'll be (mad) about it." You can bet the Caps will pound any player that gets in their red hot goalies face. The Caps now lead the Pens 5-1 through this season. They scored on 1 of 5 power plays, but allowed two goals in five penalty kills.
The Penguins also got an outstanding performance from Sidney Crosby who got his first playoff hat trick on the night. Most of the talk is about Crosby, but what about Evgeni Malkin who’s been almost invisible? No goals, no breakaways and nowhere near the offense he produced while totaling 113 points during the season. It's perhaps the key reason why the Penguins have no victories. If the Penguins are to catch the Capitals, as they've done it three times before when down two games, they need Malkin to get back to being Malkin. Malkin isn't alone in the failing-to-support-Sid club: Jordan Staal and Chris Kunitz have no goals in eight playoff games. Bill Guerin has scored in only one playoff game. Sergei Gonchar has one goal in 18 games, Petr Sykora one goal in 17. The Penguins' Game 3 theme is to keep playing at the same intensity level, constantly pressure rookie goalie Simeon Varlamov and – sigh of envy – don't get too caught up in what Ovechkin is doing. "We don't want to abandon our whole game plan just to take away one player because they've got too many guys who can hurt you," Guerin said.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Pittsburgh.
- Capitals are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
- Over is 21-8 in the last 29 meetings.
- Capitals are 7-19-1 in the last 27 meetings in Pittsburgh.
- Penguins are 4-0 in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
When: Wed, May 6, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Pens -165
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins
The Bottom Line: The Pens will be better with their home crowd behind them. Go Pens! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit
