We’ve got a pair of Game 7s for you tonight. Strap in. Let’s take a look at the top NHL playoff predictions.
| Penguins vs Capitals ML +165 / -200 O/U 5.5 |
Oilers vs Ducks ML +105 / -125 O/U 5.5 |
Here are tonight’s starting goaltenders, courtesy of LeftWingLock.
Penguins vs Capitals: Just when you thought that 2016 was the year of blown 3-1 leads, here come the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Game 6 was annihilation of epic proportions, as the Washington Capitals dominated the Penguins 5-2 to force a decisive Game 7 at the Verizon Center. Pittsburgh failed to generate quality chances at any rate, looked skittish on the man advantage and were taken to school at 5-on-5.
T.J. Oshie opened the scoring with a first period powerplay goal. Washington used their trademark quick puck movement to get the puck down low to Nick Backstrom, who in turn set up Oshie for a one-timer in the slot. It was the kind of powerplay goal that we’ve seen from the Capitals an innumerate number of times.
Andre Burakovsky netted an unassisted goal in the second period in remarkable fashion. Burakovsky managed to knock Ron Hainsey down, steal the puck away, tie Ian Cole up in knots and slip a wrist shot through Marc-Andre Fleury.
Burakovsky goal. What a shift by Washington, what a forecheck by Burakovsky pic.twitter.com/iGRt9KYnMG
— Shane O'Donnell (@shane1342o) May 9, 2017
The Penguins had just nine shots through two periods. Yet it was in the third that the wheels really came off.
A turnover by Ian Cole at the attacking blueline led to a 2-on-1 with Backstrom controlling the puck. Backstrom, an underrated shooter to say the least, sniped Fleury top shelf to give the Caps a 3-0 lead just 16 seconds into the final frame. Later in the period with the Caps on the man advantage once again, John Carlson blasted a one-timer in open space past the glove of Fleury.
Just a minute later Burakovsky was at it again. Or rather, Ian Cole was at it again. Cole was stripped clean by Burakovsky in the offensive zone and the young Russian was off the races on a 2-on-1. Burakovsky dragged the toe and buried the wrist shot (surprise!) over the glove of Fleury.Though the Penguins would get two garbage time goals, they showed very little fight.
It’s almost as though the Capitals and Penguins have switched personalities. Now the Capitals are creating odd-man rushes and breakaways off of turnovers, of which the Pens had 11. The Pens were forced to the outside. Pittsburgh was undisciplined and gave one of the best powerplays in the NHL too many chances.
It seems that the Penguins have been spoiled by their success early in the series. They were able to create home-run passes and rushes at will, so their lack of quantity was not a concern. But when the luck runs out, such play is unsustainable.
To the Capitals’ credit, they have made every adjustment to tighten up defensively. Their defense allowed fewer rushes, their forecheck has been more aggressive, and their line juggling has worked to perfection.
What does that mean then for Game 7?
The odds are heavily in Washington’s favor. They are listed at -200 for this game. The fact that they are the best home team in the NHL coming off two dominant wins will do that.
So is there reason to bet on the Pens?
Absolutely.
The Penguins are 5-0 in road Game 7s, which according to CBS Pittsburgh, is the best such record in that situation than any team in any sport. To go way back, the last time these two teams met for a Game 7 was in 2009, where the Penguins prevailed en route to the Stanley Cup.
Sidney Crosby has not looked like Sidney Crosby since returning from his concussion. The answer as to why lies in that sentence. Given the way he’s had the tar beat out of him this series, I would not expect much out of him tonight.
Instead, my money would be on Evgeni Malkin. I say Malkin and Guentzel team up for three goals tonight.
Phil Kessel has been inordinately quiet as well. Kessel has only four shots on goal in the last three games. With Crosby hurting, he will have to be a difference-maker, especially when the Penguins head on the powerplay.
And of course, more needs to be asked of the Penguins’ blueline. Granted, Marc-Andre Fleury has been especially porous the last few games but if there are any fingers to be pointed, Ian Cole has had a horrific postseason. He and Ron Hainsey are two players that will need to get their act together tonight.
I will be sticking with my pick of the Penguins. I had them as my series winner, and though it’s taken longer than I anticipated, I am not one to flip-flop. However, the Capitals have every reason to be the more confident team tonight.
To be honest, smart money is on Washington. But if you’re looking for a payday, Pittsburgh would be the safe choice. History in Game 7s certainly does not side with the Washington Capitals…
Prediction: Call me stubborn or foolhardy, but I’m going with the Penguins. Play the over.
Oilers vs Ducks: While I may have been wrong about the duration of Penguins-Capitals, I was exactly right about Anaheim-Edmonton. So I can toot my own horn about that, at least.
The Oilers gave the Ducks a sound thrashing when they stepped into Rogers Place Sunday night. Spurred on by one of the most electric crowds in any building in any game this postseason, Leon Draisaitl kicked things off with a quick tally. Just under three minutes into play, Draisaitl tried to split the defense and create a breakaway for himself. He fanned on the shot, but it still trickled through John Gibson’s wickets.
Then five minutes later, Milan Lucic wrapped around the Anaheim net and fed Draisaitl. Though he had two men on him and no other support, Draisaitl used his long reach to shoulder off Shea Theodore and backhand one past the outstretched leg of Gibson. Gibson was badly out of position on the goal.
Zack Kassian made it 3-0 a minute later beating Gibson five-hole again, and that would do it for Gibson.
But Anaheim wasn’t done. Mark Letestu would pounce on a loose puck that Jonathan Bernier thought he had covered. Then Letestu added another powerplay goal. By the end of the first, the Oilers led 5-0.
Anton Slepyshev poured it on with a goal 45 seconds into the second period. Rickard Rakell would get one back, but Leon Draisaitl capping off the hat trick punctuated that there would be no miracle comebacks that night.
Edmonton walked away winners, 7-1.
John Gibson is expected to start Game 7, rightfully so. In the playoffs, you live by an old saying: dance with the date that brung ya.
Draisaitl’s four-game point streak is one of the most remarkable feats of the postseason. He has been electric. The crazy thing is that in the 7-1 beatdown, Connor McDavid did not find the scoresheet. He has been overshadowed by his own teammate.
Anaheim will need to rebound. Like the Oilers, who lost 7-0 in the opening round, the Ducks will need to lick their wounds and come out hungry tonight.
No one tell the Ducks what their record in Game 7s are. Seriously. Don’t.
Worst HOME Record in Game 7 – Postseason History: (minimum 5 games)
Ducks 1-4
Capitals 3-7
Penguins 3-7— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) May 9, 2017
Aw shoot.
Granted Bruce Boudreau is no longer their coach, so, progress? Maybehaps?
Again, I called Ducks in seven and I’m standing by my pick. While last game may scare off some betters, the extra day of rest is huge for Anaheim to recalibrate. And I do think that when a team craps the bed in Game 6, it sets up a redemption performance in Game 7 more often than not.
At least, that’s what I’m choosing to believe.
Prediction: Take the Ducks to clinch the series on home ice tonight. Play the over.
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