i dont see too much written about the NHL on the forum today so i decided to start a thread again.  Game 3 at Pittsburgh proved that home ice does play a role.  With the Pens coming out strong and fast and actually getting shots at the goal.  Even though they failed to score a goal in the first powerplay a min into the game, they were playing with enthusiasm and heart, which both were lackin in the first two games of the series. with the momentum shifted back towards the Penguins favor, i see another penguins victory tonight.  same line as game 3, Pittsburgh -120 on the money line. expect the same energy and heart, and Crosby to show his greatness once more as he leads his team and ties the series with the red wings at 2 a piece.

 Penguins -120

Good luck!

This is a much harder game to cap!  Detroit outshot the Pens in game 3 and missed a couple of open nets.  Pitt was the more physical team and played with desperation which usually leads to a playoff style win.  2 of 3 pitt goals were kind of soft/fluky. Can the Pens match the same intensity as last game and how much will detroit pick up their body work.   Detroit D is really solid and don't see them turning the puck over in their own  zone again.  Rooting for Pitt to tie series,but brain says bet red wings @ ev money.  By the way, The game is on Saturday.  GL BS4life

iriechief:

This is a much harder game to cap!  Detroit outshot the Pens in game 3 and missed a couple of open nets.  Pitt was the more physical team and played with desperation which usually leads to a playoff style win.  2 of 3 pitt goals were kind of soft/fluky. Can the Pens match the same intensity as last game and how much will detroit pick up their body work.   Detroit D is really solid and don't see them turning the puck over in their own  zone again.  Rooting for Pitt to tie series,but brain says bet red wings @ ev money.  By the way, The game is on Saturday.  GL BS4life

tahts true, they detroit had chances and they have an awsome defense.  but dont you think the Pens are going to come out with the same intensity they came out with in game 3? this after all is a "must win" because winning 3 straight is hard, not to mention they have to win 2 of those 3 in detroit, a place where road wins are hard to come by.  but thanks for the heads up, i lost track of days. been working like a horse and thought today was the last day in may already. so i'll have more time to look over the game. good luck to you chief. hopefully we come up with the same pick with more time.

 I'm with you, I think this'll be a seven game series with all home ice wins

I think the Pens have to come out with more intensity. If that was their best effort, they're in trouble. They played their best game, yet were fortunate to win by one. The problem is that the Wings just keep coming and coming and coming. Every time they have the puck, they're dangerous. When they don't have the puck, they clog everything up and make you work your ass off for an opportunity you may get. Pittsburgh has to go out and play with reckless abandon and hit the Wings every chance they get, and yet avoid taking penalties. Malkin has to start being a factor. It looks like the long NHL season caught up with him. If he wakes up, yeah, the Pens have a fighting chance. Put a gun to my head and I'd have to take the Wings. They've been through this before. But I'll always be a Pens fan. 

Saturday nite in the burgh..You can count on the pens being jacked for this one.Hopefully they dont come out over the top.Yes wings could have scored more,but same for the pens,post stopped a couple and osgood stopped one from going over the line with a last second grab,But that is the way hockey goes.I think pens have new found confidence now they know they can score on ozzie,and match the wings  in the hitting department..Also I guess having the last call on line matchups being the home team is a BIG factor in this series.

 I agree that the wings did not at all look rattled they just kept comming and comming,I thouhgt ozz was little shaky in his last game giving 3 goals on 20-25 shots(cannot remeber exact number).The pens had that look like they were gaining confidence each shift in the last game and a young team that really starts to believe in itself is a very dangerous team. I thought g.roberts played very well,like a savy veteran the pens thought he would be.Roberts for being his age and hardly even playing thru the playoffs to have him playing this way is just going to help the pens.>Yes he was a bone-head in detroit.

 My big concern for the pens is the blue-line,after gonchar and oprik its defense is a little suspect.The forwards are going to have to back check big time to slow down the wing attack.There was a time in the third peroid when play went on for 5.30+minutes with no whistle it just end to end action with big hits,shooting, passing,great saves it was some of the best hockey I have seen in the nhl in a long time.It was stand up and watch hockey.I was truly rivited to my tv and had no money on this game.Yes I am a big burgh fan and my son played since he was eight all the way thru to midgetAA Travel.I even coached a few years until he reached high school age.So I love the game of hockey is the point I make here.

Anyway I think the pens take this game.Crosby will have a big game.I also think Hossa may put his name on the score sheet.The pens have alot of talent and now that they have adjusted to the level of play required to win it should continue to improve.I just do not see how you hold the pens down in scoring with all the talent they have.I thnik the skill level will shine thru when you keep playing.

GO PENS!!

Very nice info on Pens and Finals breakdown!

Only good to come out of this NBA Finals delayed start is that

NHL FINALS ARE ON CENTER STAGE (Finally), and Pens win rescued the NHL's brief window of opportunity to REALLY capture the NATIONAL, COLLECTIVE eye - and get the casual sports fan caught up in Cup Fever that this series truly offers...

From the sound of things, the Pens Cup Finals Ticket was the toughest ticket in all of sports in 08, and the building was literally trembling upon Crosby's 2nd Goal....

I see this UNDER 5 as such a great value at +115, and I'm almost surprised it didn't nudge up to 5.5...regardless of the 3-2 game Wed.

RocEnite:

Saturday nite in the burgh..You can count on the pens being jacked for this one.Hopefully they dont come out over the top.Yes wings could have scored more,but same for the pens,post stopped a couple and osgood stopped one from going over the line with a last second grab,But that is the way hockey goes.I think pens have new found confidence now they know they can score on ozzie,and match the wings  in the hitting department..Also I guess having the last call on line matchups being the home team is a BIG factor in this series.

 I agree that the wings did not at all look rattled they just kept comming and comming,I thouhgt ozz was little shaky in his last game giving 3 goals on 20-25 shots(cannot remeber exact number).The pens had that look like they were gaining confidence each shift in the last game and a young team that really starts to believe in itself is a very dangerous team. I thought g.roberts played very well,like a savy veteran the pens thought he would be.Roberts for being his age and hardly even playing thru the playoffs to have him playing this way is just going to help the pens.>Yes he was a bone-head in detroit.

 My big concern for the pens is the blue-line,after gonchar and oprik its defense is a little suspect.The forwards are going to have to back check big time to slow down the wing attack.There was a time in the third peroid when play went on for 5.30+minutes with no whistle it just end to end action with big hits,shooting, passing,great saves it was some of the best hockey I have seen in the nhl in a long time.It was stand up and watch hockey.I was truly rivited to my tv and had no money on this game.Yes I am a big burgh fan and my son played since he was eight all the way thru to midgetAA Travel.I even coached a few years until he reached high school age.So I love the game of hockey is the point I make here.

Anyway I think the pens take this game.Crosby will have a big game.I also think Hossa may put his name on the score sheet.The pens have alot of talent and now that they have adjusted to the level of play required to win it should continue to improve.I just do not see how you hold the pens down in scoring with all the talent they have.I thnik the skill level will shine thru when you keep playing.

GO PENS!!

hey Roc, great write up on the matchup. appreciate the information, and makes me feel even better about picking the Pens tonight. good luck to you buddy!

A lot of money coming in on the Wings, down to -115 in some places.

Looking over Detroit's roster, this jumps off the page: Kris Draper-37, Kirt Malby-35, Dallas Drake-39, Tomas Holmstrom-35, Darren McCarty-36, Brian Rafalski-34. I hope Pittsburgh can work on these guys, stay on them like stink on shit, hit them every chance they get, and tire them out. If they can do that tonight and create some doubt in Detroit's minds, I feel confident they can steal game 5 in Detroit. IF! 

I have been pulling my hair out trying to decide who is the play here!  Gues I will go with this;

The Penguins are 17-0 at Mellon Arena since Feb. 24, and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury hasn't lost there in six months, going 19-0 since the night before Thanksgiving. Now that's a home-ice advantage.

Pittsburgh Penguins +140 3way