NHL 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.

DiamondSportsbook.com opened Detroit as -170 money line favorites (highest of the series) and the wagering public has bet them up to -190. 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, Henrik Zetterberg 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.

Red Wings turn to respond

A regulation NHL hockey game lasts three 20-minute periods, sometimes these contests only need a few minutes to render a verdict as to who wins the game. This exact scenario happened in Game 4 at The Igloo in Pittsburgh and it might turn out to be the turning point of the Stanley Cup Finals in 2009.

Detroit again outplayed the Penguins in the first period, out-shooting them 19-11 and just 46 seconds into the second period, Brad Stuart gave the Red Wings a 2-1. Detroit was still carrying the action to Pittsburgh and drew a penalty to set up power play and everybody watching knew one more goal and the party in the Motor City was about to go into the planning stages.

After Nicklas Lidstrom had his shot blocked by Maxime Talbot, who passed to Jordan Staal, everything at the Mellon Center started happening in slow motion. Staal who had been a non-factor, glided by Brian Ralafski and beat goalie Chris Osgood for a short-handed goal to pull the Pens even at 2-2.

"It was huge," Sidney Crosby said of Staal's goal. "They had gotten a couple power plays right in a row. I think it was three minutes before he scored that goal, straight power play time. So, that was a huge momentum shift for us to get that. To get that kill. That first one, and then for Jordan to score that was a bonus. And then we bounced back right away."

Most businesses suffering from the recession which they could “bounce back” the way the Penguins did. For a period of five minutes and 37 seconds, Pittsburgh put on a display seldom seen in the Finals, as Crosby and Tyler Kennedy lit the lamp to give their team a 4-2 lead, which they never relinquished. It was a unique display of talented players at their best. Something else occurred which happens about as often as Heidi Montag avoiding a photo-op, Detroit lost their poise.

"You can't have letdowns against a team like that three-on-twos, two-on-ones, because eventually they're going to capitalize," Lidstrom said. "We didn't keep our composure there in the second period."

With the race for the Cup now a best two-of-three, the scene shifts back to Detroit, where the Wings are 10-1 in the playoffs and understand how these things go in late spring.

"We've been 2-2 over the years quite a bit, whether it be with Calgary, Nashville, whether it be in the Anaheim series," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "Everyone talks about momentum, but I'm a big believer that momentum is, you know, as good as the next day's start kind of thing. Just get out there and get playing again and go from there. ..the next game's absolutely huge for us."

Detroit has won 49 of last 66 contests at Joe Louis Arena and is -150 money line favorites at DiamondSportsbook.com. The formula to victory might be as simple as the math. The Red Wings have won both games the total was Under and lost twice when the score went Over the number. The Wings are 22-3 at home after one or more consecutive Overs this season. With the total at Ov5.5, are oddsmakers telling us Pittsburgh might be the play? Detroit is 7-1 OVER in home games revenging a loss vs opponent of two goals or more.

Pittsburgh is revitalized and has Crosby, Evgani Malkin and Staal all playing well, which could spell large conundrum for Detroit. They have broken the ice on Osgood’s invincibility and Marc-Andre Fleury is back to being dependable puck-stopper. The Penguins are 21-8 following a triumph and have played OVER last six times with a day between games.

Thankfully, the Finals return to NBC starting at 8 Eastern, with the favorite having won last five meetings.

Stanley Cup Final Preview

The NHL powers that be in their haste to capitalize on good television ratings and unique rematch, more or less screwed up the Stanley Cup Finals. They were originally scheduled for long break after Detroit and Pittsburgh clinched early, starting on Friday June 5. Instead, the teams will play back to back games this weekend, three games in four days and four games in six days, all before the original start of the series.

Detroit, the defending Cup champions, can’t help but feel the league is against them. The Red Wings have more nagging ailments than a wing at a retirement home.

"We're not happy, I have to be honest," Wings GM Ken Holland told ESPN.com from his office Thursday. "We're disappointed that we haven't had an extra day's rest. It's a double-whammy, the quick turnaround and back-to-back games [to open the finals]. We're disappointed because we think when you win a series in five games or less, that you have earned an opportunity to have a few more days of rest.”

This should provide emotional fuel for Detroit, who still has the most depth of any NHL team and it will be tested against younger and hungry Pittsburgh team. For both teams the schedule is set, thus you have to win four contests to be Stanley Cup champions, even if the league set up doubleheaders.

This is the first rematch from the prior season in 25 years and the parallels are eerie. A young Edmonton team, led by Wayne Gretzky, had been handled by a veteran New York Islanders squad who had dominated play for a number of years. The Oilers learned their lessons and came back and defeated the Isles the following season and set on their own journey.

Pittsburgh, led by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, are trying to do much the same thing. This duo has been the dominant force in this year’s postseason, totaling 56 points. Both struggled in last year’s Finals, especially Malkin, and each seeks redemption. The Penguins are also receiving contributions from players like Bill Guerin and Ruslan Fedotenko, making them especially dangerous.

One big difference for Pittsburgh is maturity level, they have played with more purpose and everyone is doing a superb job forechecking, which has led to numerous scoring chances. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will give up a couple of soft goals, but has been resolute in not letting it bother him and he’s turned back many difficult shots and is in Cup Finals again. Pittsburgh has won 24 of last 33 games against teams with winning records.

Detroit is banged up and is expecting to have defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom back. How close to full strength he and the other walking wounded will be is anyone’s guess, however this is for the Stanley Cup and there is a great deal of pride involved when your team has won four of last 11.

Pittsburgh does not have anyone like Johan Franzen or Marian Hossa who can causes real headaches for Penguins defense. Neither has been special in the playoffs, though wholly capable. The Hossa situation is a delicious subplot, since he walked away from a better long-term contract offer with Pittsburgh last season, to play for Detroit. He basically thumbed his nose at the Penguins, believing the Red Wings were a better team. Though opinions vary about his decision, Detroit is still 54-18 in home games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last three seasons.

In the name of Gump Worsley, let’s stop all this nonsense about how good is Chris Osgood. All he does is set up the last line of defense of what has been the best team in hockey for a decade. Does he sometimes falter during the regular season, no doubt. If he wasn’t an elite goaltender, he wouldn’t be in net, period.

Detroit is a -150 money line choice to take the first game on home ice, with total Un5.5. The Red Wings have won 16 of last 19 games in the Finals and are 42-9 at Joe Louis after playing at home. Pittsburgh is 9-3 as road underdog of +110 to +150 and is 11-4 as visitor after scoring three or more goals in three consecutive games. The teams split a pair of meetings, each winning on the others home ice.

As far as the series is concerned, Detroit is -145 favorite. If completely healthy, the Red Wings are the best team in hockey. However, they are not and the league did them no favors in setting up schedule this way. Detroit is not nearly as good a defensive team as last year, surrendering 60 more goals during the regular season. With Pittsburgh at the top of their game and their dynamic duo hungry and more forceful, the Penguins are well-positioned. To date, have 11-3 record in selecting series winners and will back Pittsburgh to be crowned champions.

Pick- Pittsburgh (+125) in six

Series odds from DiamondSportsbook.com