Wings and Penguins Face Off – Again – in the Stanley Cup Finals
by BetIAS on May.28, 2009, under Sports News
It’s déjà-vu for the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The teams faced each other last year in the Stanley Cup finals, and this year, they are doing it again. The series promises to be different from last year’s, though; the Penguins don’t look as if they’re going to accept any more schooling from the veteran Detroit team.
The Red Wings managed to grab an easy 2-0 lead in last year’s finals before the Penguins were able to regain their feet, leaving Pittsburgh scrambling to catch up. Their rematch this year harkens back to the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers-New York Islanders series in the Stanley Cup finals. In 1983, the youthful but talented Oilers, headed by Wayne Gretzky, were trumped by the experienced Islanders. The next year, however, the Oilers returned to the postseason – and to the final playoffs against their older rivals – a hardened and wizened team. They soundly defeated New York, and the next years would belong to Gretzky and his Edmonton team.
The parallels are obvious.
The Pittsburgh Penguins: a young team boasting incredible talent, coming back after last season’s loss. The Detroit Red Wings: veteran players, defending champions but playing a weakened team.
The series may be a long one, but if history proves any guide, the Penguins may be geared for a Stanley Cup win.
Both teams have had strong seasons. They have each swept one series – the Wings taking the Blue Jackets and the Penguins the Carolina Canes. Each has faced strong adversaries. Each has prevailed over both injuries and a 7-game series.
Each lays claim to solid netminding. The Wings’ Chris Osgood and the Penguins’ Marc-Andre Fleury have earned their positions as last goalies standing. Osgood made 30 saves in Game 5, entering the game with a 2.14 goal saving average, second in the league, while Fleury has repeatedly proven himself able to recover from bad goals.
But Detroit is missing key players in its lineup while the Penguins are proving themselves this season’s offensive juggernauts.
The Wings players missing from Detroit’s pivotal Game 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks included Hart trophy nominee Pavel Datsyuk, six-time Norris trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Kopecky, and Kris Draper, while Jonathan Ericsson scratched after undergoing an emergency appendectomy.
The players have only a few short days to heal for Game 1 of the series on Saturday.
The Penguins, on the other hand, are bringing the season’s top offensive players in the forms of Sidney Crosby and Evgenie Malkin. Both have matured since last year’s finals and, since Game 2 against the Washington Capitals, have been able to unite their attacks. These two have a combined point total of 56 – 28 each – with Crosby making 2 goals and 5 assists in the last series, and Malkin making 6 goals, 3 assists.
Nor is the rest of the Penguins lineup lacking. With strong, fast forwards like Tyler Kennedy, Chris Kunitz, Jordan Staal, and Maxime Talbot, Pittsburgh may very well wear out the Wings’ four remaining defensemen (Brett Lebda, Niklas Kronwall, Brian Rafalski, and Brad Stuart).
The Wings may have depth – players such as Johan Franzen (who is at the fore of the team with 10 goals), Daniel Cleary, Valtteri Filppula, and Darren Helm have made important contributions – but without Lidstrom, the Wings might find themselves overwhelmed.
Don’t miss any of the action of the NHL Playoffs and find the best Stanley Cup Finals betting lines at Instant Action Sports.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Pepsi Gold
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, NBA Playoffs,NBA betting | No comments »The Denver Nuggets are hoping to replicate the result of their last home playoff game, where they covered as 6-point favorites in a 120-101 win over the L.A. Lakers.
Denver has been good at the Pepsi Center going 18-2 SU and 14-6 ATS in its last 20 and has gone 8-1 ATS in its last nine.
The Nuggets are 5.5-point home faves.
Wakefield Goes Low In T.O.
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, Over/Under, MLB | No comments »A key AL East matchup goes tonight as the Boston Red Sox play the Blue Jays in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Tim Wakefield sees pitching duty for the BoSox and in his last eight games at the Rogers Centre, is 0-7-1 on the Over/Under.
Tonight’s Total is set at 9.5.
MLB’s Second Best Money Team
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, MLB | No comments »The Los Angeles Dodgers are Major League Baseball’s best money team but who is second?
That would be the Texas Rangers with an overall record of 27-19.
In the Rangers’ last 10 games, they are 13-7 SU and 4-14-2 on the Over/Under.
Texas plays a double-header against the Oakland A’s today and is listed at -102 for Game 1 and -152 for Game 2 with the Totals set at 11 and 10.5 respectively.
Red Wings Mended?
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, NHL Playoffs, NHL, Injuries| No comments »According to the Detroit Free Press, Niklas Lidstrom (lower body injury) and Jonathan Ericsson (appendectomy) should be good to go for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.
Unfortunately, Kris Draper will still be out with a groin injury and although Pavel Datsyuk (foot) practiced today, he is said to be “iffy.”
Rematch In Stanley Cup
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, NHL Playoffs, NHL | No comments »Updated May 29, 2009
The Pittsburgh Penguins were defeated by the Detroit Red Wings in last year’s Stanley Cup and they have an opportunity to get some revenge.
The Pens and the Wings renew acquaintances in this year’s Stanley Cup final with Detroit listed as a -160 fave for Game 1 and Pittsburgh listed at +140.
Did we mention, that Marian Hossa, who was with the Pens last year, is now with the Red Wings?
In Series Price betting, the Pens are +130 while Detroit is -150.
Venus Eclipsed At Roland Garros
May 29th, 2009 | sports betting, WTA, Tennis, French Open | No comments »Venus Williams only made it to the third round of the 2009 French Open before being knocked out.
Venus was defeated by Hungarian Agnes Szavay 6-0, 6-4 and it is the third year in a row that she has made a third-round exit.
Conn Smythe Trophy Betting
May 28th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, prop wagers, NHL Playoffs,NHL | No comments »We’re down to the Final Two in the NHL playoffs, so who has been the most valuable for his team in the postseason?
Sidney Crosby is the current odds-on favorite in Conn Smythe trophy prop betting at -200 while netminder Chris Osgood is the fave from Detroit at +350.
Cleveland On The Ropes
May 28th, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, betting trends, NBA Playoffs, NBA betting | No comments »The Cleveland Cavaliers are on the verge of elimination down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference final against the Orlando Magic.
Game 5 goes tonight in Cleveland and the Cavs are favored by 7-points with the Total set at 190.5 but going by the numbers, it may be the Magic that win tonight, at least against the spread.
In Orlando’s last seven trips to the Quicken Loans Arena, it is 7-0 ATS.
Lowe Aims For Eight Vs. D-backs
May 28th, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, MLB | No comments »A light schedule in the majors today with only five games on tap–including two afternoon affairs–and the Atlanta Braves and Arizona Diamondbacks closing things off.
It’s Derek Lowe’s turn in the Braves’ pitching rotation and in his last 10 games against the D-backs, he is 7-3 straight up.
Atlanta is listed at +114 and the Total is set at 7.5.
Santana Weaves Black Magic Vs. Nats
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, MLB | No comments »The New York Mets host the Washington Nationals tonight and send Johan Santana to the mound.
Santana has never lost to the Washington Nationals as a Met, going 4-0 SU and has only lost once to the franchise–including the time they were the Montreal Expos.
Santana is 5-1 SU in his last six.
The Mets are listed at -215 for the game.
Nuggets Are Gold At +6 (Or Less)
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, NBA Playoffs,NBA betting | No comments »After thrashing the Los Angeles Lakers by a final of 120-101, the Denver Nuggets best be on their game tonight at the STAPLES Center.
Denver is listed as a 6-point underdog and while it has struggled on the road vs. the Lakers (6-14 ATS in its last 20 road games), it is also 7-0-1 ATS in its last eight when listed at +6 or less and 2-6 O/U.
Tonight’s Total is set at 209.5.
Wounded Wings, Blackhawks Down
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, NHL Playoffs, NHL, Injuries| No comments »A number of notables in the NHL’s Western Conference final will be missing tonight.
Just like in Game 4, the Detroit Red Wings will be missing captain and d-man Niklas Lidstrom as well as defensive forward Pavel Datsyuk in Game 5.
The Chicago Blackhawks will be without starting goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and forward Martin Havlat.
The ‘Hawks are +200 and the Wings at -240 with the Total at 5.5.
Nadal Keeps Rolling
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, ATP, Tennis, French Open | 2 comments »Rafael Nadal has earned his 30th-straight win at the French Open.
Nadal is now 30-0 at the red clay courts at Roland Garros in France after defeating Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
Sharapova Not Sharp
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, WTA, Tennis, French Open | 1 comment »Maria Sharapova is apparently still working off the rust after a long layoff due to a shoulder injury.
While Sharapova managed to defeat Nadia Petrova in Wednesday’s French Open action, it took three sets (6-2, 1-6, 8-6).
UEFA Champions League
May 27th, 2009 | sports betting, soccer, UEFA Champions League | No comments »You can bet on some footie, aka soccer, today as FC Barcelona will play Manchester United in the Champions League final.
Barcelona is listed at +160 while Man U is at +153.
A draw pays out at +213
Brady’s Back
May 26th, 2009 | sports betting, football, NFL betting, NFL | No comments »After missing last season with a knee injury, New England Patriots QB Tom Brady is back on the field for the team’s organized team activity this week.
The Over/Under win Total for the Pats next season is 11.5.
Carolina’s Ward Riding Over Streak
May 26th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, Over/Under, NHL | No comments »Down 3-0 in the Eastern Conference final, the Carolina Hurricanes are on the verge of elimination so you might want to take advantage of goalie Cam Ward’s current streak.
In Ward’s last seven games that fall on a Tuesday, he is 7-0 on the Over/Under.
The ‘Canes are +105 for tonight’s game and the Total is set at 5.5.
Serena Williams Advances In France
May 26th, 2009 | sports betting, WTA, Tennis, French Open | No comments »Serena Williams didn’t look like her normal self but still managed to defeat Klara Zakopalova in her opening-round matchup at the French Open at Roland Garros.
Williams beat Zakopalova 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4.
She sustained an injury to her right knee earlier in the month.
Mo Pulls A Broadway Joe
May 26th, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, NBA Playoffs,NBA betting | No comments »Joe Namath, Mo Williams isn’t but still, the Cleveland Cavaliers guard saw fit to guarantee a win over the Orlando Magic in tonight’s Game 4–Williams’ Cavaliers are favored by 1-point and the Total is set at 188.5.
After declaring the Cavs the best team in basketball, Williams was queried about whether his team would get it together and erase a 2-1 series deficit.
“Guarantee we’re going to win the series? Yeah, yeah,” Williams is quoted as saying in ESPN.com.
“We’re down 2-1. But there is nobody on this team and definitely not myself that says we are not going to win this series.”
Broken Wings
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, NHL Playoffs, NHL | No comments »Updated May 26, 2009
The Detroit Red Wings’ 6-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks was a testament to their depth as the team was missing team captain and star d-man Niklas Lidstrom (lower body injury), defensive forward Pavel Datsyuk (foot) and grinder Kris Draper (lower body injury).
Detroit head coach Mike Babcock held Lidstom and Datsyuk out of today’s practice and ruled Draper out for tomorrow’s game in separate AP reports.
The Wings are listed at -230 for Game 5 and are listed at -175 to win the Cup this year.
Moyer Reeling In Marlins
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, Over/Under, MLB | No comments »After a weekend interleague set with the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies return to National League action as they play the opener of a three-game set against the Florida Marlins.
The Phillies send old warhorse Jamie Moyer to the mound for tonight’s game and in his last six home games against Florida is 5-1 SU and on the Over/Under.
Philly is listed at -122 and the Total is set at 10.
Home Court Advantage For Denver
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, NBA Playoffs,NBA betting | No comments »Well, they kicked the WWE out of the Pepsi Center for this, so the Denver Nuggets better make it count.
Going into Game 4 down 2-1 in its Western Conference final series against the L.A. Lakers, Denver has been installed as a 4.5-point home fave.
The Nuggets have been solid at home the past 20 games, going 18-2 SU and 14-6 ATS.
Another Rain Delay
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, nascar, auto racing, Nascar Betting | No comments »NASCAR’s Coca Cola 600 was postponed due to rain yesterday at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina and the same thing happened today.
The race was delayed for an hour after 73 laps but is back on.
Through 86 laps, Kyle Bush has the lead according to NASCAR.com.
Nadal Rolling At Roland Garros
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, ATP, Tennis, French Open | No comments »Bettors are used to making green when Rafael Nadal is on the red clay.
Nadal, the defending French Open men’s champ, won his 29th-straight match at Roland Garros defeating Brazilian Marcos Daniel 7-5, 6-4, 6-3.
Nadal is listed at -400 to defend his title.
Hat Trick Helio
May 25th, 2009 | sports betting, auto racing, Indy 500 | No comments »It wasn’t his third-consecutive Indy 500 win but it was Helio Castroneves’ third Indy 500 win overall.
Castroneves was listed at +400 to take this year’s race.
Santana Not In “Over” His Head
May 23rd, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, betting trends, Over/Under, MLB | 1 comment »Being in the NL, the New York Mets’ Johan Santana hasn’t seen a lot of action against the Boston Red Sox but he did see the BoSox quite a bit when he was with the Minnesota Twins.
In nine career meetings against Boston, Santana has not gone Over the Total once, going 0-9 on the Over/Under.
The Total for tonight’s Mets-BoSox series opener is set at 9.
Will BoSox Bettors Roll “Dice?”
May 23rd, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, betting trends, MLB | No comments »The Boston Red Sox host the New York Mets in interleague baseball play tonight and see themselves listed at -102.
Daisuke Matsuzaka is set to return after a stint on the DL (shoulder) and in Dice-K’s last 12 Friday games, he is 10-2 and currently on a seven-game win streak.
Bronx Bombers Riding Win Streak
May 22nd, 2009 | sports betting, baseball, betting trends, MLB | 1 comment »The New York Yankees were struggling earlier in the season but have seemingly gotten it together.
The Yanks are 9-0 in their last nine games overall and 7-0 in their last seven-straight home games.
The Bronx Bombers begin a three-game home set against the Philadelphia Phillies this weekend are are listed at -155 for tonight’s game.
Red Wings’ Ozzie Is Good
May 22nd, 2009 | sports betting, NHL betting, hockey, Over/Under, NHL Playoffs,NHL | No comments »Going into the 2009 NHL playoffs, the experts opined that the Detroit Red Wings only had one weakness–goaltending.
Well, three games into the Western Conference final, Detroit backstop Chris Osgood has flipped the proverbial bird at all the naysayers with a 10-3 postseason record, a GAA of 2.04 and a save percentage of .925.
The scene shifts to the Windy City for Game 3 tonight with the Wings listed as +105 underdogs, the Chicago Blackhawks favored at -125 and the Total at 5.5.
In Osgood’s last 20 games in Chicago, he is 3-14-3 on the Over/Under.
NBA East Final: TGIF
May 22nd, 2009 | sports betting, basketball, NBA, basketball betting, NBA Playoffs,NBA Finals, NBA betting | No comments »The Orlando Magic will play the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final tonight listed as 8.5-point road ‘dogs with the Total set at 188.5.
In Orlando’s last 11 games against Cleveland on a Friday, it is 6-4-1 against the spread.
The Magic are listed at +230 to represent the East in the NBA championship final.
