NHL betting odds fans been treated to a real show thus far from the Pittsburgh Penguins front line. Every game this team has played so far in the NHL playoffs odds has been a shoot-out. And by all indications the NHL betting odds world should expect more of the same when the Pens travel to Carolina to take on the Hurricanes in game three of this Eastern Conference Finals.
NHL betting odds makers have favored the Pens from the onset, but so far this Hurricanes team has refused to lose in the NHL playoffs odds match ups. The Canes were the hottest team in the NHL betting odds before the season began and they’ve continued to play well throughout the NHL playoff odds competition as well. But they’ve yet to meet a team as skillful as the Pens and as game one proved, the Pens could very well be the best team left in the NHL betting odds.
The key to beating the Pens in an NHL playoffs odds series is obvious: shut down Sidney Crosby and Evgani Malkin. But as every team in the NHL knows, it’s much easier said than done. Having arguably the two best hockey players on the planet on the same team may seem like an unfair advantage in the NHL betting odds but that’s the grim reality that the ‘Canes must face.
Adding to the Canes’ challenge is the fact that the Pens’ power play has come alive during the NHL betting odds post season and the team has become that much more dangerous. To win this game three match up Carolina must protect the net well and Cam Ward must have the NHL betting odds series of his life. The team also has to play plenty free and avoiding setting up the Pens’ power play. Carolina must also somehow limit the Pens’ explosiveness on the open ice when they attack, something no NHL playoffs odds opponent has been able to do.
Carolina faces an uphill battle on the other end of the ice in this NHL betting odds match up as well, as two of its top forwards, Erik Cole and Tuomo Ruutu are injured. Ruutu is a huge loss for the team which needs every able goal scorer it can get against the high scoring Pens in this NHL betting odds conference final.
Pittsburgh is in the driver’s seat in this match up and looks to be headed for its second straight Stanley Cup NHL betting odds berth. Sid the Kid and Evgani are simply too much for any defense in the NHL betting odds, except for perhaps the Red Wings, to handle.
Look for the Pens to win game three on the road.