The Winter Classic

[jonnyboy21]

I thought a thread would be suitable so let's have plenty of posts before the puck drop and feel free to discuss the game here and any live bets.

My early lean is towards the Caps, just a feeling I have, it may not be statistically logical especially considering the Pens won in their backyard but I think the visitors will be really up for it and to silence all the home fans at Heinz Field. I like the odds on the Caps to win this.

Please share your thoughts!

[RbN]

will def. go over!

[Dharmonize]

Don´t know if I´m betting it yet, but have a feeling that the Caps will take this one. Greater motivation, they need to show up and start the year on a positive note.

[VegasInsider]

I'm all over the OVER 5.5 (-115) - this is a short price IMO.

[DennisGreen]

I'm hoping to be on the over as well. As long as the ice isn't a puddle come puck drop.

[Cicima6709]

Even if its a puddle, all that means is that players will throw the puck at the net more instead of going for the fancy goals.

Goals will be scored.

[RbN]

I can only get the over 6 excl ovt

[Blackhawks98]

I like the Caps ml. However I'm not sold on the over. If the ice is sloppy I could see a low scoring game. Plus you have to factor in only 2 periods could be played if the conditions are too poor to play a full game, I read the game rules and 2 periods will constitute an official game.

[InTheRed]

When the teams play each other its a bitter rivalry game with a lot more hitting than a usual game for each team. The star players are shadowed like hawks. There will not be much free space for them to do anything.

Add to that the bad outdoor ice that you get from it being outdoors. Then add the fact that its near 50 in Pitt today. Then add the fact that it is going to rain before the game, and you have some extremely bad ice. The players are going to have a hard time controlling the puck. Less players carrying the puck through the zones. A lot more passes = more turnovers.

This game is screaming for an UNDER play. Especially at 6. This is going to be a 2-1 game. Maybe a 3-2 game like they had last week.

Also, when you look at the last 5 games for both teams, there were more than 5 goals scored only three times. That's a 3-7 record. You take out the game they played each other and its this 3-5.

UNDER is a very solid play here.


As for picking a winner? I feels its more of a toss up than the ML is suggesting. If this game were rigged, which obviously it isn't, the storybook ending is for WASH to win this game. With everything that happened in DEC for both teams and the way it was portrayed on 24/7, this game is screaming for the tough luck struggling Caps to come out on top over their superior bitter rivals. I can tell you, HBO is certainly rooting for WASH.

No play on a side.

[gigicash]

UNDER is the play - I would say, and/or Caps to take it! my 2cents

[Miser]

I like the under as well

[RbN]

With their attacking power an under is easy lost....

[Dark Horse]

Then add the fact that it is going to rain before the game, and you have some extremely bad ice.

Do you know if it will rain during the game?

If the goalies sight is even slightly disturbed -because of rain or snow-, that could send the game over.

[DennisGreen]

Rain doesn't help the over just so everyone knows. If you have ever played outdoor hockey it's nearly impossible to pass or shoot the puck through puddles. It stops dead after a few feet. Apparently they have some machine that's sucking up the water though. Will be interesting to see the final result when the puck's dropped

[Reload]

Looking forward to this. Any last thoughts from anyone?

[fury]

Taking the Caps + money.

[RbN]

Looking forward to this. Any last thoughts from anyone?

Sit back and relax!

[bradnowell]

Over is the play

[D3 Mighty Ducks]

I'll take the Pens ML -138

[ItIsWhatItIs09]

Sounds like i'm alone but my money is on the penguins

[Mike Huntertz]

Ice should be fine. 10% change of rain.
Like Caps and over

GL

[Statman]

What have the scores been like in previous Winter Classics outdoors? Realize it's different teams this go around but curious from a trend perspective? Good luck in your wagers.

[Pauulzcappin]

What have the scores been like in previous Winter Classics outdoors? Realize it's different teams this go around but curious from a trend perspective? Good luck in your wagers.

2-1, 6-4 and 2-1 L3

[Miser]

Sometimes these games are a scorefrest and other times it is very defensive. Who knows on this one.

[Deuce]

Under ice will be horrid

[VegasInsider]

Imperfect ice conditions = turnovers, which leads to more scoring chances

[VegasInsider]

Also, do you really think the NHL would go out there and play tonight if there was a chance the game would be called after 2 periods??? The NHL would rather cancel the game and play tomorrow then take a chance of calling it after 2 periods...that would be devastating for the league

[VegasInsider]

Combined 29 shots on goal in the first period and no one could score?

F*UCK

[hockeynut]

I'm on the Under. The winter Classic is a low scoring affair in 2 of 3 games so far.

[icecapper]

Pucks bouncing, wet patches etc. UNDER is the play.

[Takethebooki]

yea because u cant get good shots on wet cut up ice when thye score it willbe a tip direct. under and pens was my play.

[gigicash]

Good game!

[hockeynut]

Damn, not a good period for the Under. This could go either way now.

[fury]

Caps just sealed it

[Miser]

They didn't score