Pinnacle Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins +182 at Washington Capitals -180 Total 5.5Β
by Greg Dempson
This is the first of two game 7’s tonight, the night cap beginning with Pittsburgh Penguins taking on the surging Washington Capitals. The one constant in the Pens/Caps series has been the ability of Washington to out shoot Pittsburgh,(200 vs. 133 shots through the first six games.). Game six, won 5-2 by Washington in Pittsburgh was no exception as the Capitals registered 42 shots on goal in the first two periods while the Penguins had but 16 for the entire game.
Washington has a 4-10 record in Game 7’s, including 0-3 against the Penguins. In 2009, Pittsburgh lost Game 6 at home before coming to Washington and winning Game 7 by a 6-2 score. In addition, Pittsburgh is 5-0 all time when on the road and playing a “Game 7.” It’s not all bad new for Capitals fans as Washington has rallied twice before when trailing 3-1 in the post season and then winning game 7.
The Capitals are laying way too much wood for me to chop so I will offer up some statistics on the over/under.
From the Face-Off Circle
Pittsburgh is 16-5-1 in their last 22 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage that’s greater than .600.
The Capitals are 5-2-2 to the over in their next contest after scoring 5 or more goals in their previous game.
The Penguins are 24-08 to the OVER against good defensive teams that are allowing 2.55 or less goals per game this season.
Washington is 41-27 to the OVER after winning two or more consecutive games the last two seasons.
Pittsburgh is 9-1 to the over this season when revenging a loss where an opponent scored 5 or more goals.
The Penguins are 53-35 to the OVER in all games this season.
I Wanna Take You Higher
In the second half of the season and after a win by 3 or more goals vs. a division rival, play home teams with a winning record to sail OVER the total. This system is 77-48 = 62% to the over the past five seasons.
Everyedge.com in Review
My last selection onΒ Under 5 in Game 1 in Nashville vs St. LouisΒ and my post season record is 1-4-1.