Sat 20/05/2017 - 14:08 EDT

    Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5

    Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5

    NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 Preview

    My Team's Next MatchOttawa Senators

    Following a blowout loss in game 3, the Penguins needed to come back strong for game 4 and they did just that by scoring three unanswered goals in the first half of the game. Sidney Crosby led the Pens with an assist and a powerplay goal. It was all Ottawa for the next half as they scored two goals but just missed converting on a powerplay in the dying seconds. The Sens take a moral victory knowing they ended the game stronger and will carry that momentum to game 5 in Pittsburgh.

    Series: 2-2 Tied

    The Penguins remain considerable favourites despite having a more difficult time with the Senators as forecasted. Still, the Pens have knotted the series despite only averaging 1.5 goals a game whilst giving up 2.25. Replacing Marc-Andre Fleury in net with last year's hero, Matt Murray has paid dividends although Murray only needed to stop 24 shots to record the victory. Crosby continues to play at a high level while Evgeni Malkin, who was held pointless in game 4, will bounce back emphatically.

    Pittsburgh was more efficient with their offense only coughing up the puck three times while registering 35 shots on goal, their highest for the series. By tightening up on offense, they limited their turnovers and took away an advantage from the Sens. As frontrunners, Pittsburgh also needs to score quickly and hold the lead. Murray didn't stop too many shots but he stopped the ones that mattered. With Ottawa's tendency to pull comebacks from thin air, the Pens will lean on Murray to put an end to that trend as they look to take complete control of the series. 

    They're consistently lined as underdogs but the Senators consistently overachieve and they like it that way. They remain trendy underdogs but are also shaky due to their tendency to both come back from deficits and give up leads.  The Sens threw everything but the kitchen sink in the final seconds but couldn't quite beat Murray but scoring the last two goals and pushing the Pens back into a defensive shell has to account for something. They'll need to rebound and prepare for a Penguins team that will look for the kill in their return home.

    Many will attribute the tied series not just to the Sens getting into Pittsburgh's heads and messing up their game but also for the Pens' tendency to be nonchalant. The Sens can turn up their pace and get at Pittsburgh's star players. They know they can't outgun the Penguins and will need to continue forcing turnovers, disrupting their passing lanes, and being more aggressive as they'll need to be as desperate as Pittsburgh was if they want to beat Murray.

    Senators at Penguins Prediction

    It seems most haven't learned from underestimating the Senators as they are again lucrative underdogs in most sportsbooks. The Penguins are still the better team on paper and should win game 5 and maybe wrap the series up in six but the Sens have proven the theory wrong on so many occasions and even in their two losses they were arguably playing better. They lost game 4 but had the Pens on the ropes. The Sens want it more and that's why they'll win game 5 again in thrilling fashion.

    Ottawa Senators (+165) SportsInteraction

    Category : Online Betting News

    Tag : nhl playoffs , Penguins , senators , stanley cup

    More articles...
    Online Betting News - 22/09/20
    UFC 253: bet on Adesanya and these top three bets 
    UFC 253: bet on Adesanya and these top three bets

    UFC 253 comes packed with fireworks from both inside the octagon and the betting lines as middleweight king Israel Adesanya settles his grudge with the unbeaten destroyer, Paulo Costa. Both fighters are explosive strikers and with ill will all but guaranteeing heated exchanges. Co-headlining are red-hot fighters Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz facing off for the vacant light heavyweight title. Let's break down these fights and see which bets we can cash.

    Online Betting News - 22/09/20
    Toronto Blue Jays Picks for the 2020 Season 
    Toronto Blue Jays Picks for the 2020 Season

    The 2020 Toronto Blue Jays picks for the 2020 season shows just how far they've come just a year after handing the keys over to their young stars. It's thanks to a combination of their continued development plus low-key free agents overperforming. The pleasantly surprising Jays are a nice story, but betting on them in the future is a trickier matter as we dissect their betting odds.

    Online Betting News - 10/08/20
    UFC 252: bank on Cormier and these three bets you can't miss 
    UFC 252: bank on Cormier and these three bets you can't miss

    The title of "greatest heavyweight of all time" hangs in the balance when Stipe Miocic meets Daniel Cormier in their trilogy match for the heavyweight title for UFC 252. Betting odds indicate an even matchup although Cormier should be the favourite on this spot. Outside of this epic affair, we have a bevy of juicy matchups including some live underdogs, unmissable prop bets, and two rising contenders who you should parlay.

    Online Betting News - 13/07/20
    NFL Futures: betting on the upcoming NFL season 
    NFL Futures: betting on the upcoming NFL season

    Please check out our expert picks for the NFL 2020-21 season which is about to start.