Bettors expect stars to shine in Game 7
It has been quite a NHL Playoffs, with TV ratings up, interest on the rise for the sport and first Game 7 in three years. While Carolina and Edmonton was exciting in 2006, the argument can be made this is the most anticipated final encounter since Colorado and New Jersey in 2001 or even 1994, when the New York Rangers broke their 54-year drought between Stanley Cups.
This Cup Finals have been all about the chalk, with the home favorite winning each time, as only the last game decided by a single goal. The final score in most cases didn?t tell the story. Five years ago New Jersey and Anaheim played seven games, with the home team winning each contest. That series was still played under the old rules and even insomniacs were nodding off watching that style of play.
Today?s version of hockey is about speed and skill, and each team is loaded with both. Detroit has overcome a number of injuries to get to this point and should be as rejuvenated as they have been in some time, playing before the home folks and working for just the second time in six days.
Sportsbook.com opened Detroit as -170 money line favorites (highest of the series) and the wagering public has bet them up to -185. The Red Wings are 11-1 at Joe Louis Arena in the postseason and have won nine in a row at home. They are 9-2 as -150 to -200 playoff favorites.
Detroit will need the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Zetterburg and struggling Marion Hossa to have big games. Zetterburg and particularly Hossa have not been as effective of late. Hossa admitted to ESPN.com reporter Pierre LeBrun he is pressing. Hossa made the controversial choice of leaving Pittsburgh for Detroit in the off-season and could be 0-2 in Cup finals, should the Wings lose. Detroit players like their chances in decisive conflict.
"We're confident going back to our home building and playing in front of our own fans, so it will be a fun game going back for Game 7," Detroit captain Lidstrom said.
Pittsburgh is 6-6 on the Stanley Cup chase road in 2009, with three consecutive defeats in Detroit, totaling two measly goals. The Penguins are 15-6 with two days between games this season. This is the time for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to elevate their games to superstardom. They felt the taste of bitter defeat a year ago and are 60 minutes from hoisting Cup for first time. Neither has scratched the score sheet the last two games, a third would raise more questions than find solutions for a team that is 43-19 after scoring two or less goals.
Like most hockey confrontations, goaltending arrives front and center for such an important contest. Chris Osgood for the Red Wings has the pedigree and the rings. Pittsburgh?s Marc-Andre Fleury has a chance to step into greatness. Most people forget Fleury was the first piece to Penguins revival, being just the third goaltender taken as the first draft choice. He played on some wretched Pittsburgh squads before Crosby and Malkin showed up and is still the biggest question mark coming into Game 7. He?s been brilliant at times in the series, but also less comfortable than a player wearing skates three sizes too big in three losses in Motown.
"You have stuff happening in your head, but you have to just block all the outside, all the negative thoughts and just play the game, keep it simple, have some fun," Fleury said. "To have an opportunity like this to get [the Cup], it's awesome."
The total is listed at its lowest figure of the seven games at Un5.5 (the rest were even or over 5.5) and the previous three contests in Detroit played Under. The Red Wings are 9-3-2 UNDER in last 14 Stanley Cup Finals contests, with Pittsburgh 16-5 UNDER after allowing one goal or less in their previous game this season.
The winner of Game 7 will have untold joy, which will commence at 8:05 Eastern on NBC, with the favorite 13-3 in last 16 meetings between these teams.
Power Line ? Pittsburgh -103
It has been quite a NHL Playoffs, with TV ratings up, interest on the rise for the sport and first Game 7 in three years. While Carolina and Edmonton was exciting in 2006, the argument can be made this is the most anticipated final encounter since Colorado and New Jersey in 2001 or even 1994, when the New York Rangers broke their 54-year drought between Stanley Cups.
This Cup Finals have been all about the chalk, with the home favorite winning each time, as only the last game decided by a single goal. The final score in most cases didn?t tell the story. Five years ago New Jersey and Anaheim played seven games, with the home team winning each contest. That series was still played under the old rules and even insomniacs were nodding off watching that style of play.
Today?s version of hockey is about speed and skill, and each team is loaded with both. Detroit has overcome a number of injuries to get to this point and should be as rejuvenated as they have been in some time, playing before the home folks and working for just the second time in six days.
Sportsbook.com opened Detroit as -170 money line favorites (highest of the series) and the wagering public has bet them up to -185. The Red Wings are 11-1 at Joe Louis Arena in the postseason and have won nine in a row at home. They are 9-2 as -150 to -200 playoff favorites.
Detroit will need the likes of Nicklas Lidstrom, Steve Zetterburg and struggling Marion Hossa to have big games. Zetterburg and particularly Hossa have not been as effective of late. Hossa admitted to ESPN.com reporter Pierre LeBrun he is pressing. Hossa made the controversial choice of leaving Pittsburgh for Detroit in the off-season and could be 0-2 in Cup finals, should the Wings lose. Detroit players like their chances in decisive conflict.
"We're confident going back to our home building and playing in front of our own fans, so it will be a fun game going back for Game 7," Detroit captain Lidstrom said.
Pittsburgh is 6-6 on the Stanley Cup chase road in 2009, with three consecutive defeats in Detroit, totaling two measly goals. The Penguins are 15-6 with two days between games this season. This is the time for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to elevate their games to superstardom. They felt the taste of bitter defeat a year ago and are 60 minutes from hoisting Cup for first time. Neither has scratched the score sheet the last two games, a third would raise more questions than find solutions for a team that is 43-19 after scoring two or less goals.
Like most hockey confrontations, goaltending arrives front and center for such an important contest. Chris Osgood for the Red Wings has the pedigree and the rings. Pittsburgh?s Marc-Andre Fleury has a chance to step into greatness. Most people forget Fleury was the first piece to Penguins revival, being just the third goaltender taken as the first draft choice. He played on some wretched Pittsburgh squads before Crosby and Malkin showed up and is still the biggest question mark coming into Game 7. He?s been brilliant at times in the series, but also less comfortable than a player wearing skates three sizes too big in three losses in Motown.
"You have stuff happening in your head, but you have to just block all the outside, all the negative thoughts and just play the game, keep it simple, have some fun," Fleury said. "To have an opportunity like this to get [the Cup], it's awesome."
The total is listed at its lowest figure of the seven games at Un5.5 (the rest were even or over 5.5) and the previous three contests in Detroit played Under. The Red Wings are 9-3-2 UNDER in last 14 Stanley Cup Finals contests, with Pittsburgh 16-5 UNDER after allowing one goal or less in their previous game this season.
The winner of Game 7 will have untold joy, which will commence at 8:05 Eastern on NBC, with the favorite 13-3 in last 16 meetings between these teams.
Power Line ? Pittsburgh -103
