Saturday’s NHL Stanley Cup Betting Preview and Odds
The Penguins may be getting a familiar face back in the lineup for Game 5 when they bid to eliminate the Presidents' Trophy-winning Capitals for the second time in as many years.
New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators (+100, 5)
Series tied at 2-2
ABOUT THE RANGERS (54-30-4-4 SU, 45-47 ATS, 42-41 O/U): All four lines produced goals for New York in Game 3 and its depth was a decisive factor in Game 4, with Oscar Lindberg scoring twice and bruising forward Tanner Glass collecting a pair of assists. "That's been our strength this whole year, that we have four lines and anyone can play against anyone, anyone can do well and score goals," forward Mats Zuccarello told reporters. " ... For us to be successful, we need every line to go." Glass spent much of the year in the American Hockey League and was pulled after three games in the first round versus Montreal, but he has supplied three assists and delivered 10 hits over the past two games.
ABOUT THE SENATORS (50-31-7-4 SU, 53-39 ATS, 35-50 O/U): Despite his injury, Erik Karlsson was a dominant force in the six-game first-round victory over Boston, but he was in obvious discomfort Thursday after he was involved in a pair of second-period collisions with New York players. "It's hard to replace Erik - your captain - but at the same time, you've just got to try and pull by committee," forward Bobby Ryan told reporters. "That's our leader. The concern level is high. But they've got 36 hours to get him ready to go." Concerns are also mounting over the play of goaltender Craig Anderson, who has allowed 12 goals in the past three games and sat out the final 20 minutes Thursday night.
LINE HISTORY: The Senators opened as +104 home pups for Game 5, that money line jumped the fence to -105 Friday morning and has since faded back to -102. The total hit the betting board at 5 and has yet to move off the opening number.
INJURY REPORT:
Rangers - No injuries to report.
Senators - D Erik Karlsson (Probable Saturday, lower body), D Mark Borowiecki (Out Indefinitely, leg).
TRENDS:
* Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Under is 8-2-3 in Rangers last 13 overall.
* Rangers are 0-4 in the last 4 meetings in Ottawa.
* Home team is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Washington Capitals (-175, 5)
Penguins lead series 3-1
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (57-22-7-5 SU, 46-45 ATS, 51-35 O/U): Sidney Crosby wasn't the only Pittsburgh forward making a return to practice on Friday as Conor Sheary also hit the ice after sustaining a concussion in Monday's Game 3. The 24-year-old Sheary has struggled to maintain his scoring pace since being bumped from the top line alongside Crosby, answering a 23-goal, 53-point regular season with just two assists in eight playoff contests. Rookie Jake Guentzel continued his scintillating postseason by recording his fourth multi-point performance on Wednesday, increasing his goal total to eight to join Maurice "Rocket" Richard (12 in 1944), Mario Lemieux (11 in 1989) and Wayne Gretzky (nine in 1980-81) with at least that many tallies in his first nine career playoff games.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (60-22-5-5 SU, 37-55 ATS, 40-37 O/U): Although Alex Ovechkin publicly accepted the blame after Barry Trotz called out his team's best players in the wake of Washington being pushed to the brink of elimination, others could be construed to be in the coach's line of fire. Reigning Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby has been outplayed by counterpart Marc-Andre Fleury, with the former recording a 3.00 goals-against average and .867 save percentage in the series. T.J. Oshie, who is Ovechkin's linemate, has been consistent with a career high-tying 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in as many postseason games this season and nine points (five goals, four assists) in 10 playoff encounters versus Pittsburgh.
LINE HISTORY: The Capitals opened as -182 home chalk in Game 5 and that number has been bet down all the way to -165. As for the total, it opened at an even 5 and has yet to move off that number.
INJURY REPORT:
Penguins - LW Conor Sheary (Questionable Saturday, concussion), C Sidney Crosby (Doubtful Saturday, concussion), D Chad Ruhwedel (Out Indefinitely, upper body), G Matt Murray (Out Indefinitely, lower body), D Kris Letang (Out For Season, neck).
Capitals - No injuries to report.
TRENDS:
* Penguins are 4-1 in their last five overall.
* Capitals are 1-4 in their last five Conference Semifinals games.
* Under is 5-1 in Capitals last six overall.
* Penguins are 4-1 in the last five meetings.
