The Detroit Red Wings won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in dominating fashion by shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. It’s the third straight win for the Red Wings over the Pens dating back to 2005, they’ve outscored the Pens 9-1. Oddsmakers at Sportsbetting.com have the Red Wings as -170 moneyline favs over the Penguins +150 with the over/under set at 5 ½ goals. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at Sportsbetting.com
The Pens couldn’t figure out how to stop the Wings killer forwards and they could hardly get any pucks on net. They had 19 shots on net compared to the 36 Detroit had. The Pens now face their hardest test to date after dropping Game 1 for the first time in the playoffs. What can they do to increase their chances? Coach Michel Therrien was switching his lines at Sunday's practice. Pascal Dupuis was dropped from captain Sidney Crosby's line and was replaced by Ryan Malone. Dupuis instead skated with Jordan Staal and Tyler Kennedy. Also veteran Gary Roberts will be in the lineup tonight after he was a healthy scratch in Game 1. They’re hoping his experience and playoff savvy will pay off against the Red Wings. Game 1 was the second game where they’ve been held scoreless, they lost 0-3 to the Rangers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. They’ve averaged 3.20 GAG in their last five games and on the road they should average 2.58 GAG. Their power play was 0 for 6 as they couldn’t get past the Wings defense. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was busy in net stopping 36 shots as his defense was no or little help at all. Fleury is 12-3 with a 1.86 GAA. They’ll hope their line changes will make a difference tonight.
The Red Wings are three games away from hoisting the Cup and after tonight’s game they’ll be two games away. The Wings are playing their best hockey in years. They’ll have a huge boost on offense as top scorer Johan Franzen makes his return after missing six games with concussion like symptoms. The Wings average 3.16 GAG at home and during their last five games they’ve averaged 3.00 GAG. Every player on the Wings roster is capable of scoring and their defense has been the best throughout the playoffs. Goalie Chris Osgood wasn’t very busy in net stopping 19 of the Pens shots for his second shutout of these playoffs. Osgood is 11-2 with a 1.48 GAA. They are 8-1 SU at home in the playoffs and 21-23 over/under at home.
Recent Trends to Consider
- Penguins are 3-11 in their last 14 vs. Central.
- Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 playoff games as an underdog.
- Penguins are 1-4 in their last 5 Monday games.
- Red Wings are 5-0 in their last 5 Stanley Cup Finals games.
- Red Wings are 23-3 in their last 26 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
- Red Wings are 12-2 in their last 14 vs. Atlantic.
- Red Wings are 9-2 in their last 11 playoff games as a favorite.
- Penguins are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Detroit.
- Penguins are 1-6 in the last 7 meetings.
GAME: Pittsburgh Penguins (59-30-4-4) at Detroit Red Wings (67-25-2-5)
DATE/TIME: Monday, May 26 – 8:00 PM EST
LINE: Sportsbetting.com TOTAL: 5 ½
PICK: Detroit -170
The Bottom Line: Detroit is the perfect hockey team right now with veteran and playoff experienced players. They have stellar goaltending and a wicked defense to boot. The Pens are in for a rough ride tonight. Get your NHL Playoff Prediction in now at Sportsbetting.com, where players play!
