While next weekend will be big for horse racing as the Kentucky Derby contenders roll into town, this weekend promises to be exciting for the NHL, as several teams will face elimination in the first round. Get your sports betting research done early and enjoy the thrills to come.
NHL Game Preview - Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators Game Six
Judging by game five, this will be a dandy.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators staved off elimination in game five by winning in triple overtime. This was quite a battle, as the Penguins poured it on with 59 shots on goal. Pascal Leclaire kept them in the game long enough to get the winning goal.
The Senators are playing with passion, but they are clearly outmatched by the Penguins. They held on by a thread to live to see another day. Pittsburgh had way too many chances to put the game away, but luck was simply no on their side. It is doubtful that Leclaire will be able to put on a repeat performance to deny the Penguins the series.
For game six, the Senators can be expected to come out strong again to try and force a game seven. If they want to win, they should not depend on their goaltender this heavily. In addition, Ottawa must stay out of the penalty box. Pittsburgh simply has too many weapons on the power play and an excellent execution. Taking unnecessary penalties is unacceptable for the Senators.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh certainly did not lack any effort in game five. With 59 shots on goal, who could possibly ask more of them? It is quite simple; they ran into a hot young goalie in Pascal Leclaire who is out to make a name for himself. The Penguins did solve him three times in the game and will simply have to do a little better in game six.
Marc-Andre Fleury did not have a stellar performance, but he was good. He made plenty of overtime saves to give Pittsburgh all the chances they needed to try and put the series away. They simply did not get it done in overtime.
In game six, the Penguins will once again attempt to put the series away. They definitely do not want to take this to the seventh game, as anything can happen then. The NHL playoff odds should definitely be in Pittsburgh's favor.
Game Six – What To Expect
Pittsburgh will certainly come out strong in game six. Malkin and Crosby will be expected to be on their best, as the last thing they want to do is let this go into a game seven. Marc-Andre Fleury will be expected to outplay Leclaire. He does not need to steal the game; he simply needs to be a little better than in game five.
The Senators will do everything they possible can to force the game seven. Will they succeed? Not highly likely. It will be interesting to see the game day NHL odds for this one.
