| 2009 NHL Playoffs: Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 7 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Wednesday, 13 May 2009
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 The Washington Capitals host the Pittsburgh Penguins for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals tonight, May 13. The Penguins made it to the Stanley Cup final last year without playing in a Game 7 scenario, while the Capitals just finished a Game 7 in round one against the Rangers. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Capitals as -130 moneyline favs over the Penguins (+115) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction in now at Sportsbook.comThe Penguins have a little history on their side related to Game 7’s. The Pens have won all three of their road Game 7’s. In 1992 they beat the Caps 3-1 to advance, in 1999 they won in New Jersey 4-2 and in 2001 they won in Buffalo 3-2 (OT). Sidney Crosby leads the Pens with 18pts (10 goals 8 assists) while Evgeni Malkin is close behind with 17pts (6 goals 11 assists). The Pens are getting average goaltending from goalie Marc-Andre Fleury who is 7-5 with a 2.78 GAA after allowing 35 goals. It’s a shame that someone has to go home a loser, given what these teams have delivered so far in a series that features the past two NHL MVPs (Ovechkin and Crosby), two of this year's MVP finalists (Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin), and the past two league points leaders (Malkin and Ovechkin). Considering that five games were won by a single goal, and the other was decided by only two goals. Three games went to overtime, including Washington's 5-4 victory at Pittsburgh in Game 6 on Monday night. Both teams led in each game, and five times the team that scored first lost. Both teams have held a series lead, with Washington up 2-0, then Pittsburgh up 3-2. And the teams have been tied or separated by one goal 92 percent of the time. The Capitals have already played in a Game 7 situation in these playoffs. In the first round this season, they won a Game 7, coming back from a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the New York Rangers. But in the first round a year ago, Ovechkin's first trip to the postseason, the Capitals lost a Game 7 at home in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers. Caps star Alex Ovechkin has 20pts (ten goals, ten assists), better than two per game, and more than anyone in the NHL has produced in any playoff series since 2003. Nicklas Backstrom is next in line with 15pts (3 goals 12 assists). Goalie Simeon Varlamov is the main reason the Caps are where they are. He’s 7-5 in the playoffs with a 2.28 GAA after allowing 28 goals. The Caps have been involved in seven Game 7’s where they went 4-3 overall. Washington is 2-4 in Game 7s played in Washington with the following victories, 1988 over the Flyers and in 2009 over the Rangers. Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins When: Wed, May 13, 2009 7:00 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Pens +115 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins The Bottom Line: The Caps will have the home ice advantage, but I believe the Pens have too much fire power. The Caps are only getting results from Ovechkin. 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.                        |
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