Penguins-Capitals Game 7 Preview and Predicton
There have been more online sports bets placed on the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins than any other NHL series and that will continue for at least one more game as the two teams head for Game 7.
For a second time this postseason, the Penguins failed to close out an opponent on their home ice as they lost 5-4 in overtime to the Capitals.
While the series has been tight, hockey betting fans tend to notice that the Penguins are in control. For the Capitals, their route of winning this season has meant dominating their opponents on the offensive end. With plenty of weapons like Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin, the Capitals teed off on many a goaltender in the regular season.
That hasn’t exactly been the case in this series as the Capitals are having a tough time adjusting to the Penguins speed. The Caps are being forced to play without the puck more than they would like to.
A good example is Game 6, where the Capitals entered as an underdog on the NHL odds but still managed to find a way to win. The Capitals were outshot 42-24 in Game 6 including 18-5 in the first period. Odds are that if the same thing happens in Game 7, the Capitals won’t be victorious again.
What’s interesting is that the Capitals are 6-1 in elimination games over the past two seasons but just 1-1 in Game 7’s. They persevered through an arduous battle with the New York Rangers in the first round but their task stiffens in their upcoming Game 7.
The Capitals found an unlikely source for points in Game 6 as David Steckel – who scored just eight goals in the regular season – scored his third of the playoffs. In Game 7, it will be the Penguins’ turn to test the depth of their team.
Star centers Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby have combined for 18 points in the series but they’ll need some help. The next leading scorer on the team has nine playoff points and that’s defensemen Sergei Gonchar, who didn’t suit up for Game 6 because of a knee injury and might also miss Game 7.
The Penguins are a veteran team and they know what sort of moxie it takes to survive a Game 7 on the road. After finishing off the Philadelphia Flyers in Round 1 on the road, online sports betting sites shouldn’t be surprised if the Penguins do the same in Round 2.
Tags: NHL
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