Pittsburgh And Washington Putting On The Best Series Ever
 
There’s no doubt in my mind anymore. In recent memory, the Leafs and Senators were known for putting on gladiator type battles in the NHL playoffs. But from drama to scoring to Ovechkin and Crosby, the Capitals-Penguins series is proving to be the best series that I’ve ever seen. After the 5-4 thriller on Monday night, no true hockey fan can complain about how exciting this series has been. Well, unless you bet on Pittsburgh.
 
A seven game series was to be expected from the onset. What’s been startling over the last two games is the home team losses. Washington lost at home on Saturday, while Pittsburgh let a chance to close the series escape them on Monday. Alexander Ovechkin has become a tour de force in the playoffs, throwing his muscle around and making everyone around him better. He was held scoreless on Monday, but notched three assists as the Capitals rallied after going down by a goal early in the game.
 
Not to be outdone by Alexander The Great, Sid The Kid has been a prominent force in this series as well. He pushed the game in to overtime with a dazzling dangler, and also assisted on Bill Guerin’s opening goal. Crosby is hated by league purists for his bratty antics. He’s constantly whining to the refs, complaining on no-calls and sulking when things don’t go his way. The Kid is turning in to a diva right before our eyes, which would be cancerous had he not catapulted Pittsburgh’s shot total to 42 on Monday night.
 
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
 
Wednesday, May 13th --- Verizon Center, Washington --- 7:00pm EST
 
NHL Betting Line: Washington -145 (5.5)
 
So with Game 7 deciding who gets to compete for the Eastern Conference Finals, what can we expect out of each team. First and foremost, expect lots offense. Both teams have been cranking out shots like a pediatrician in flu season. The Penguins goalie, Marc Andre-Fleury, has been decent in this series, but he’s losing ground to rookie Simeon Varlamov , who has turned away 343 shots in 12 games in the post season. He’s literally been standing on his head, and bolstering the Caps shoddy defense.
 
My problem is that Washington plays the lights out when they’re at home. They were the toughest team to beat when playing on their home ice this season. Why does that concern me with everyone elevating the stakes in Game 7? Because Sergei Gonchar is still missing due to a brutal knee injury. Without him to anchor the blue line, I doubt Pittsburgh’s ability to stop the trio of Semin-Backstrom-Ovechkin. Defending Andre-Fleury from an offensive onslaught is the priority tonight, and that won’t happen. Not with Washington on the verge of greatness.
 
NHL Furious Free Pick: Washington -145 (OVER)