NHL Pick – Penguins at Capitals

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crosby-ovechkin

By Greg Dempson

Pinnacle Sports: Penguins +113 vs Capitals -125 Total O -120 U +109

It’s round 2 game 1 at 8:00 ET as the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to the Verizon Center to tangle with the Washington Capitals. As of this report the goalie for the Penguins is not known but I can say with certainty that Braden Holtby will start for the Capitals this evening. Holtby tied an NHL single-season record with 48 regular season. As for his first round of the post season, he was spectacular stopping 149 of 154 shots with a GAA of 0.84 and a save percentage of 96.8%.

Pittsburgh also starts this series on a solid note as they have won 17of their last 20 games. I guessing that Matt Murray will be in goal for game one. He stated in three of their five playoff contests allowing 4 goals with a save percentage of 95.5%, (1–1–1, to the under. Jeff Zatkoff was in goal for the other two post seasons games and he allowed 6 goals in two games, (90.8 save percentage,) with both sailing over the total.

Ice Chips

· Even though Ovechkin led the league in scoring with 50 goals he did not tally a single goal in the five meetings against Pittsburgh.

· In the first game of a playoff series the Penguins are 2–10 to the under when away from home.

· The Capitals are 04 – 15 to the under at home when off three consecutive division games.

· Recent play at the Verizon Center has seen five out of the last seven contests stay under the total.

· After two consecutive wins against a division rival, (applies to the Penguins,) play said teams next game under the total, when their opponent’s off a shutout road win. This system is 08–28 = 79% to the under since 1996 as well as 2–6 to the under the past three seasons.

· When a team is playing with revenge and off a straight up favorite loss, play the under if said team, (applies to the Capitals,) are off a shutout road win. This system is 26–58 = 69% to the under.

NHL Pick

This game would appear to be an easy over wager….but…I’ll play my contrarian card and take Pittsburgh and Washington to stay under the total of 5 goals at +110 as my Every Edge game of the night.