Things are going pretty good for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the grand 2010 playoff NHL odds scheme of things but they could be going a lot better after Friday’s Game 4 versus the upstart Montreal Canadiens. No one expected the #8 seed Habs to advance past the #1 seed Washington Capitals in round one of the NHL playoff betting action but here they are, just 3 wins away from advancing to the Eastern Conference hockey betting Finals.
Pittsburgh is getting a firsthand view of the mojo that sent the Caps packing and are in the midst of a hockey betting dog fight. But with a slim 2-1 lead heading into Game 4 and pretty good idea of what the team will be up against in Montreal on Friday, you’ve got to like the defending Stanley Cup betting champs’ chances in this matchup.
This NHL playoff betting series, after a strong Game 3 win by Pittsburgh, is starting to take on the feel of a David vs Goliath hockey wagering battle in which Goliath will win. The Habs have given the Penguins their best shot and the champs absorbed it and emerged victorious. In Game 3 it seemed like Montreal put its best game forward and put the Pens to the test, yet still came up short.
It’s hard to imagine the Habs playing better than they did in the Game 3 hockey betting loss and the players on both sides know that as well. That hard fought NHL playoff betting result will give the Pens even more confidence and likely deflate the Canadiens’ players playoff NHL odds hopes.
Halak played a nearly perfect game in Game 3 allowing just one goal -which was a spectacular shot from distance by Egevni Malkin- despite having traffic in front of him all night long. He stopped 23 of 24 shots and the Habs defense did a good job. Unfortunately the Pens defense was even better limiting Montreal to just 18 shots on goal the entire hockey betting contest. Expect the Pens to come out fast and furious and put Halak under duress from the get go. Pittsburgh wins this game and winds up the NHL playoff betting series at home.
