Written by Graeme & Scott on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017
Follow @BetNHL
The New York Rangers got a crucial win last night and it was a big one as they beat the Ottawa Senators 4-1.
The Nashville Predators also got a key win. They’re now just one win away from moving on to the next round.
We turn our attention to tonight, Wednesday May 3rd.
The early game sees the Pittsburgh Penguins hoping to go 3-1 without Crosby as they take on the Washington Capitals.
The late game sees an interesting one between the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers.
The Ducks will hope to tie things up before going back to Anaheim where they lost both games.
Here’s our thoughts:
Capitals vs Penguins Game 4 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Caps got the win in the last game. And not only did the Pens lose but they also lost Crosby to a concussion. He will miss game 4 and then be monitored after. It’s hard to say when and if Crosby will return. Conor Sheary is also out with a concussion.
But even without Crosby and Sheary the Pens are still a deep team. But the Caps now have a chance to tie the series up and regain home ice advantage.
They will need to take advantage of Crosby being out.
Capitals win incl OT/SO
Graeme: Last time I said I couldn’t bet the Capitals because it was a must-win game except they haven’t really shown that they have what it takes in the playoffs for those games.
Even though they DID win – I still wasn’t convinced.
A lot of times this season we’ve seen a big injury and the majority of the time, the team bands together well – at least initially.
Penguins have the depth and with the lack of confidence I have in the Capitals, I’m quite happy to back the Penguins incl OT/SO at such great odds. I was generally impressed with Holtby in Game 3 but his overall playoff performance hasn’t been great.
Ducks vs Oilers Game 4 Betting Tips:
Scott: The Ducks picked up the win in the last game and the series is now 2-1 Oilers. The scored 3 goals in 12 minutes to start the game and the Oilers came back to tie it. The Ducks ended up winning 6-3.
There has been 2 days off between games so we will see what the extra day of rest will do for the teams.
The Oilers are still at home so they will be looking to pick up a win on home ice and avoid heading back to Anaheim with the series tied.
Oilers win incl OT/SO
Graeme: Honestly I’m just not sure. With the Oilers I think they’re relying a lot on two individuals in McDavid and Talbot. I haven’t been super impressed with the Ducks either though.
I’m leaning Oilers but just can’t back it. And even though the over is appealing there’s something in me that feels this may be a tight game. No bet.
I do agree with your reads about both games, Graeme! Great job! Holtby hasn’t been so good and this is quite perceptible for those who watched Leafs series.
The value is with Pens, so:
Pens ML @ 2.18
GLTA
What do you think about possible OT in both games?
I personally think the Caps-Pens game has a real good chance for OT.
And also to go under.
Caps and Ducks.
Especially with Crosby and Sheary out the Caps know its now or never. The core on this team will never live it down if they don’t finally make it past the second round. If they are to do that, they need to win tonight
Ducks are the better team, I don’t like the Oilers scoring depth.
Caps 3-1
Ducks 4-2
Ducks ML @ 2.15
IMO the Pens/Caps game is a toss up. Yes, the Caps won the last game but it took a 5 on 3 to score 1 goal and it took OT (having given up a 2 goal lead) to win. Even though The Pens lost they scored 2 late goals without Sid. Their depth, Fleury and home ice favours the Pens so the Caps still have to work hard to get the win.
Either way, it’ll be a good one tonight. Good luck! ?
Pittsburgh Penguins to win at the regular time, great value bet for me.
Ducks to win there probably, draw no bet. Will decide during the match.
Interesting night, either you find yourself in a 3-1 hole or go back home tied 2-2. Should translate to some great action.
Im going with Pens ML. This is just one of those games that the Caps have always blown in the past, especially against the Pens. They have a great opportunity to make it a whole new series that favors them moving forward, or the complete opposite (can’t see the Caps winning 3 in a row against a team that’s probably the best in responding to losses). Last year (i believe it was) Letang got injured prior to game 4, and the Caps still lost which ultimately doomed them in that series. You’d think that both Crosby and Letang out is enough to tip the scale in Caps favor, BUT im not buying it until i see it.
If we look at the last 5 games these teams have played, overall the Pens have had a great scoring touch while the Caps have had zero killers instinct whatsoever. Fleury is playing great, while Holtby can be shaky especially against the Pens. So at the end of the day, better scoring + better goaltending is almost always a winning combination. Pens just have to do it without Crosby for one game, but the positive is they’ve had time to prepare and it’s their home barn, where they have guys stepping up all the time.
So to me it looks like it could have the makings of another classic Caps-Pens game, where it seems like the Caps hold all the cards but the Pens score more goals.
If the Caps manage to pull through, that bodes really well for them, but until they do it i have to go against them like i said.
Ducks ML is my other pick. We’ve had 3 games to watch this series, and i can’t in any way say that the Oilers have been the better team. They had that weird momentum in the first 2 where things just go your way, but the last game completely flipped the tables in that regard (although luck did his best to try and get the Oilers back into it). Credit to Ducks though, they worked to get their own luck, and now the Oilers have to respond.
However, for the Oilers to win this game they’d have to be decisively better, because i can’t see another Talbot-show happening. And based on the first 3 games, there’s nothing that would suggest that.
Good luck !
Emotional and nice to watch match.
Win or Lose here – Penguins worth the cup. ?
Congratulations for the Pens supporters and punters.
Ducks look a bit stronger, more quality, – even loosing after the period 1.
Have not slept all the night, – but that has been a great session overalls.