NHL Prediction: Can the Penguins avoid an upset to the Senators? 5/21/17
Can the Pittsburgh Penguins take control of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight when they host the Ottawa Senators in Game 5 at 3PM ET? Here’s our NHL Prediction for today’s contest.
GAME 5 ODDS
According to oddsmakers, the Penguins are the favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -200 to win today. The Senators are listed with a money line of +180 to win, while the over/under total for the game is listed at 5 goals.
RECORDS
The Penguins managed to even this series at 2-2 thanks to a 3-2 win in Game 4 on Friday night. Both teams have picked up a win at home and on the road in this series.
Pittsburgh is 60-25-13 overall and 36-7-6 at home. Ottawa is 54-33-11 overall and 27-20-2 on the road.
GAME 4 RECAP
Game 4 saw the Penguins get a victory despite dealing with some key injuries. The Pens out-shot the Senators 35-26 in the win and established a 3-0 lead in the second period. Olli Maatta, Sidney Crosby and Brian Dumoulin all scored in the win. Ottawa fought back behind goals from Clark MacArthur and Tom Pyatt, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
Pittsburgh opted to bench Marc-Andre Fleury and go with Matt Murray in net. He stopped 24 shots and will get the start in Game 5. Corey Anderson made 32 saves for the Senators.
NHL PREDICTION
This series has been somewhat unpredictable. Just when we expected the Senators to take control, Pittsburgh fought its way back in. Now the Penguins are back to being the heavy favorite, but that was also the case in Game 1 when the Senators picked up a win.
The Penguins have lost their last four games following a win. With their odds so heavy in their favor, it’s risky to go with them. Ottawa has already won on the road in this series and hasn’t been heavily outclassed in any game. If the puck bounces their way, it could lead to another big upset.
NHL Prediction – Ottawa Senators +180
