Free ££££.
Hits with almost a full period to go.
Hits with almost a full period to go.
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your an idiotOriginally posted by NittanyLionsFanComment -
I'll be on this. I'll keep betting the overs on PIT games until I see reason not to.
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TY Vokoun
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Zibanejad and Silfverberg are legit. This team is gonna be good for a long time.Comment -
In know people will think I'm trolling by this post, but it's actually serious.
Doesn't look good at all and chances of it hitting are bleak. I def fancy a buyout here if you have an option. Or hedge. Or something. Hits a small % of the time after that 1st period. Had Ottawa got that 3rd goal way different story.Comment -
So close to a 5th goal ...
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The bet was a loser after that 1st period. Pitt getting the 3rd goal at the time they did was disaster. Would have been far beneficial for it to be 1-1, or for Pit to be up 2-1 afte the 2nd.Originally posted by bobbyk1133So close to a 5th goal ...Comment -
Sens had lots of chances for a 2nd goal. Definitely need 1 more from them to have a chance ..Originally posted by NittanyLionsFanComment -
Best case scenario as of now is praying for a PIT empty net goal if they can even score one before then. He'll will freeze over before Pens score 2 legit goals in one period.Comment -
In this coming period*
Not any period, obviously.Comment -
I am baffled as to how under 5.5 is + money on Bet365 right now and tilted I don't have funds there.
Any idea how this is the case?Comment -
God penetrating dammit. That SH goal just absolutely screwed any chance we had.Comment -
4-1 is the worst score for an over ... unless it's a Leafs game.
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under
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I wasn't expecting the most disastrous first period possible for my bet. Still pretty certain I'm on the right side there at + money.Originally posted by PuckItunderComment -
Not enough to scare me off this. I'll be on it game 2 as well.
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Don't need your take on it but thanks.Originally posted by PuckIt
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no one cares bobbyOriginally posted by bobbyk1133Not enough to scare me off this. I'll be on it game 2 as well.Comment -
For once I thought we were going to have a reasonable discussion here
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How can we have a discussion here if you are sending us to another site?Originally posted by PuckItFor once I thought we were going to have a reasonable discussion here
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You'd rather me copy and paste the whole write-up?Originally posted by bobbyk1133How can we have a discussion here if you are sending us to another site?Comment -
Key Points:
- Pens are 3-0 vs. Sens this year
- Winning 2-1 (away) , 4-2 (home) , 3-1 (away)
- Sens lost 5 of last 7 visits to the Burgh
- Pens won 17 of last 20 home games
- Two of last 3 home games were shutouts
The #1 seeded Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the #7 seeded Ottawa Senators to the Burgh’s Consol Energy Center for game 1 of their best of seven series tonight. The first series in the Eastern was full of drama, and both of these teams were knee deep in it and it could possibly effect their performances tonight. Almost every handicapper on the planet expected the Penguins to roll over the Islanders, especially after the game one 5-0 victory in Pittsburgh. That proved to not be the case what so ever, and the way that the Penguins played in that series, I truly believe we are lucky to be in the second round. On the other end is the Senators, who managed to upset rival Montreal Canadians in only five games, just one of those only by one goal. This might have something to do with the Sens getting Karlsson back, but either way we can be certain that the Sens are flying on cloud nine right now, and will likely come into tonight’s game expecting a similar outcome to the Montreal games.
I don’t think that’s going to happen. The Pens have to also realize that given the way they played in the first series, they are lucky to be where they are. There is no excuse for a team with so much talent and chemistry to be struggling with a team like the Islanders, and with a few changes this team has the ability to put themselves in a position that will be incredibly difficult to beat. Specifically, they need to play defense, they need a focused goalie, and they need to play smart hockey.
The first series was full of horrible Pens goaltending by Fleury, but it didn’t help that players like Malkin, Letang, and Cooke spent quite a substantial amount of time in the sin bin, OR giving up multiple horrible turnovers on their own blue line because of poor decisions to try to force the pass up the middle rather than going up against the boards. I have to believe that Bylsma, who should be fearing for his job right now, has beaten these principles into their heads and they shouldn’t be making the same stupid mistakes that we saw in the last 6 games. Also worth noting is Thomas Vokoun will be starting tonight for the Pens, which is great news in my opinion. Fleury is so good when he’s hot, but when he’s cold, he gets so much into his head that he makes incredibly poor choices, and it costs the Pens goals. Vokoun seems to be on a hefty dose of sedatives at all times, and he just goes into robot mode, almost like he doesn’t think about what he’s doing. He just knows the principles of the position, and he does a damn good job at it. He stays in position, doesn’t give up bad rebounds, and if a puck happens to get past him, he doesn’t lose his mind over it.
On the other side is the Senators, who as we know will be confident as ever. There have been rumors that Spezza may return soon, but he is not expected to play tonight. Either way, I don’t think that the Sens have the firepower to get past the Pens if they are playing in the defensive manner that I stated above. Even if they find a few holes, I think Vokoun is solid enough to keep them at bay. They know that the Pens are not a team that has trouble scoring, and as a solid defensive / trap team, the Senators will be busy back in their own end, not having enough time to stay in the offensive zone (again, all assuming the Pens play smart and stay out of the box).
The Pens will want to prove a point tonight in front of their home fans, and I think the biggest point they can prove is that they have the ability to play smart and play defensive hockey. Every Pens fan knows they can score, but somehow they can also manage to lose games even after scoring 4 or 5 goals. We’re sick of it, and at this point we would rather see a 3-1 Pens win than a high scoring emotional victory. The Pens will want to show that they have the capability to stay in this for the long haul, and to do that you CANNOT strictly rely on offense. Expect a great defensive performance by both sides tonight, with the Pens coming out on top.
Pick: UNDER 5.5 (-115)
Honorable Mentions: Pens (-1) @ -120
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Nice call PuckItComment -
YesOriginally posted by PuckIt or just summarize. 
so being a Pens fan ... what is their identity? It seems like they let their opponent dictate play than the other way around. Or perhaps they just adapt to whatever style that's required?
Last year Bylsma preached defense and responsible play after every PHI game, but it was a shootout almost every game. I thought the Isles were built similar to PHI and we saw a very similar series with the exception of two games.
Tonight OTT dictated play for most of the first two periods which forced PIT to play smart/defensive. They couldn't run and gun even if they wanted to due to the way OTT defends.
Even when they do shut it down they still score 4+ goals which is why I always like the 'over'. Vokoun is more stable than Fleury, but he's more like a Osgood than a game-changer. OTT coulda easily had 2-3 goals tonight if they had any finish..Comment -
Right now i'll take Vokoun over Fleury, mostly for the reasoning stated above. Vokoun plays like a machine. Very hard to get into his head.Originally posted by bobbyk1133Yes or just summarize.
so being a Pens fan ... what is their identity? It seems like they let their opponent dictate play than the other way around. Or perhaps they just adapt to whatever style that's required?
Last year Bylsma preached defense and responsible play after every PHI game, but it was a shootout almost every game. I thought the Isles were built similar to PHI and we saw a very similar series with the exception of two games.
Tonight OTT dictated play for most of the first two periods which forced PIT to play smart/defensive. They couldn't run and gun even if they wanted to due to the way OTT defends.
Even when they do shut it down they still score 4+ goals which is why I always like the 'over'. Vokoun is more stable than Fleury, but he's more like a Osgood than a game-changer. OTT coulda easily had 2-3 goals tonight if they had any finish..
The Pens 'identity' isn't an easy thing to describe right now. They are truly Jeckyl and Hyde style. When they play their game, they win, almost always. When they let a team get into their heads and force them to start playing the other teams game, they usually lose. You are absolutely correct in comparing the Isles series and the Flyers series from last year. I made numerous references to the comparisons on nhlpredictions in previous write-ups for the first series.
If you can accomplish this, the pens will revert back to their 'must-win' style of play where they usually end up losing 6-4. This year will come down to Bylsma's ability to keep this collection of all-stars with their heads in the game and devoted to playing smart hockey. They are good enough to capitalize on PP's, or the occasional offensive break. If the Pens can focus on winning games like they did tonight, in a 3-1, 4-1 style of play I don't see them not making it to the cup. If we start seeing games with 8+ goals, I think they will be lucky to get much farther.
Honestly I think the Islanders were much more of a threat to the Pens than the Sens, strictly for this reason. The Sens aren't the Islanders, not at all. I have always said, regardless of how bad the Flyers are every year, they manage to either put up a ridiculous game, or beat the Pens simply because they get in their heads and cause them to play their game. I think the Isles had a much better chance at accomplishing this than the Sens do.
If they keep their heads and have a goaltender with a straightforward mindset, they will go far. I don't think we will see as many overs this series. If you want to play an over, take the Pens team total over 3.5 at +$$$Comment -
I'm not sure what the best way to beat the Pens is. We've seen them get taken out in an open style last year and it gave them problems again this year, but they also got "Halak'd" vs MTL a couple years ago. Yea that was a different team, but I think this OTT team is built very similar - block a lot of shots, rely on a hot goalie, and capitalize when they get chances. I still think OTT can give them some problems. If they get the split, I think they have a chance at the upset.Originally posted by PuckIt
Time will tell with the overs, but I need to see consecutive 2-1, 3-1 games before I lay off.Comment -
Pens are absolutely capable of becoming victim to a solid neutral zone trap and a hot goalie. It happened a few times this season, but this almost always happened due to bad passes, poor choices, and awful turnovers. The Pens have so much talent, but they aren't as disciplined as they should be.
That, IMO is the way to beat them. Get into their heads and you very quickly knock them off of their pedestal. Oh, and after they lose a game, it's absolutely the best time to fade them in the next game. Almost all losses this year came in two consecutive games. It's time to back them in game 3 though.Comment -
Anderson, Rask, and Lundqvist. All 3 are capable of pulling it off. That said, they are just too stacked.Originally posted by PuckIt
I love the moves they made this year. Picking up Vokoun might have saved their season and Murray was very underrated too. Their D needed someone just like him.
Jokinen and Bennett can't even get in the lineup for crying out loud. If they don't make the finals Bylsma should be fired.Comment -
riding over 5.5 +110 again. I don't see either team playing as cautious this time around...Comment -
Crosby over 3.5 shots on 5D -120 Bovada had O/U 4 shots for the same price. Go figure.
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Karlsson with a great pylon impression.Comment -
over 1.5 1st period is now 7-1 in Pens games. Automatic bet at this point ..
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Crosby 4 shots, 3 goals.
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