Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions: Ottawa Senators vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5

NHL Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 Preview

Following a blowout loss in game 3, the Penguins needed to come back strong for game 4 and they did just that by scoring three unanswered goals in the first half of the game. Sidney Crosby led the Pens with an assist and a powerplay goal. It was all Ottawa for the next half as they scored two goals but just missed converting on a powerplay in the dying seconds. The Sens take a moral victory knowing they ended the game stronger and will carry that momentum to game 5 in Pittsburgh.

Series: 2-2 Tied

The Penguins remain considerable favourites despite having a more difficult time with the Senators as forecasted. Still, the Pens have knotted the series despite only averaging 1.5 goals a game whilst giving up 2.25. Replacing Marc-Andre Fleury in net with last year's hero, Matt Murray has paid dividends although Murray only needed to stop 24 shots to record the victory. Crosby continues to play at a high level while Evgeni Malkin, who was held pointless in game 4, will bounce back emphatically.

Pittsburgh was more efficient with their offense only coughing up the puck three times while registering 35 shots on goal, their highest for the series. By tightening up on offense, they limited their turnovers and took away an advantage from the Sens. As frontrunners, Pittsburgh also needs to score quickly and hold the lead. Murray didn't stop too many shots but he stopped the ones that mattered. With Ottawa's tendency to pull comebacks from thin air, the Pens will lean on Murray to put an end to that trend as they look to take complete control of the series. 

They're consistently lined as underdogs but the Senators consistently overachieve and they like it that way. They remain trendy underdogs but are also shaky due to their tendency to both come back from deficits and give up leads.  The Sens threw everything but the kitchen sink in the final seconds but couldn't quite beat Murray but scoring the last two goals and pushing the Pens back into a defensive shell has to account for something. They'll need to rebound and prepare for a Penguins team that will look for the kill in their return home.

Many will attribute the tied series not just to the Sens getting into Pittsburgh's heads and messing up their game but also for the Pens' tendency to be nonchalant. The Sens can turn up their pace and get at Pittsburgh's star players. They know they can't outgun the Penguins and will need to continue forcing turnovers, disrupting their passing lanes, and being more aggressive as they'll need to be as desperate as Pittsburgh was if they want to beat Murray.

Senators at Penguins Prediction

It seems most haven't learned from underestimating the Senators as they are again lucrative underdogs in most sportsbooks. The Penguins are still the better team on paper and should win game 5 and maybe wrap the series up in six but the Sens have proven the theory wrong on so many occasions and even in their two losses they were arguably playing better. They lost game 4 but had the Pens on the ropes. The Sens want it more and that's why they'll win game 5 again in thrilling fashion.

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Category : Online Betting News

Tag : nhl playoffs , Penguins , senators , stanley cup

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