Here’s the NHL betting situation; the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators play game 3 of the Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference Finals which is currently tied 1-1 tonight. Phil Kessel scored 100% of his shots (1) to help the Pens even the series on Monday – his 60th postseason game-winning goal. Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves and had his second shutout in his last three starts – and first shutout loss for the Senators in 36 games. The Penguins outshot the Sens 12-6 in the second period and had the first eight shots of the third. Everybody got that? Good.
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Canadian Tire Centre
Sportsbook odds for fans who bet on hockey:
Penguins -1½ (+225) 5 (-130) -135
Senators +1½ (-265) 5 (+110) +115
Pittsburgh
Recent form: The Pens have won two thirds of their last six road games as well as 15 of their last 22 encounters with the Senators. Pittsburgh has not won back-to-back games since the first two of the second round against the Capitals.
News: Pittsburgh players have been dropping like, well, actual penguins. Forward Bryan Rust was knocked out in game 2, while defenseman Justin Schultz missed a check and crashed into the end boards on Monday, forcing the Pens to play with only five defensemen for the remainder of the game. Additionally, Kris Letang is out with a herniated disc and Trevor Daley is sidelined with a lower-body injury.
Trends for fans who bet on hockey: The Penguins have covered in 10 of their last 15 games, but that number drops to only one of the last four. Pittsburg is 5-2 against the spread in the last seven road games. The NHL betting total has gone under in five of the Pens’ last seven, and over in seven of their last 10 on the road.
Ottawa
Recent form: The Sens had a three-game winning streak snapped on Monday. The Senators have won nine of their last 13 overall and 80% of their last five at Canadian Tire Centre – where they have beat the Penguins two thirds of their last six meetings.
News: The Senators are returning home like Mumm-Ra to the Black Pyramid after seeing his own reflection, and likewise they hope to replenish their power there. “We have an opportunity now to head home and play in front of our great fans,” defenseman Marc Methot said. “The building will be rocking and that’s something that we’re really looking forward to.” Head coach Guy Boucher said Viktor Stalberg and Mark Borowiecki “could be coming in at any moment. I’ll talk to our therapists and see where we’re at with that.”
Trends for fans who bet on hockey: The Sens have not had much trouble covering lately, going 4-1 against the spread in the last five, 9-2 ATS in the last 11 home games, and 4-1 ATS versus the Penguins. The NHL betting total has gone under in 13 of the Senators’ last 19 at home, and under in 80% of their last five times hosting the Pens.