Penguins Awake And Ready After Game Three Disaster

The Pittsburgh Penguins were in cruise control late in the third period of game three. After all, they had won four-straight games dating back to the opening round, including the first two at home against the Ottawa Senators, and were less than a minute away from taking a commanding three-games-to-none series lead. However, things fell apart in a hurry as Daniel Alfredsson tied the game with under 30 seconds to play and Colin Greening won it in overtime for the Senators. It was a crucial online sports betting win for a desperate Ottawa hockey club, but it may have also awoken a Penguins’ team that will come out with a much greater sense of urgency in game four Wednesday night.

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Ottawa Senators
Wednesday May 22, 2013 – 7:30 PM ET
Scotiabank Place, Kanata, Ontario
NHL Sports Betting Line: Pittsburgh – 130

The Senators played their hearts out for 59 minutes on home ice in order to put themselves in position to tie it late, and they got the lucky break they needed when Pittsburgh defenseman Paul Martin pinched out of position and left a streaking Alfredsson open to tie it. Martin likely won’t make that mistake again in game four, so Ottawa will need to make sure they are in a better position heading in to the dying seconds of regulation.

NHL Betting Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins

Tomas Vokoun was less than a minute away from earning his second shutout win in five postseason starts, and will be eager to bounce back after suffering his first loss of these playoffs. Vokoun made 46 saves in that loss, but went from being the game’s first star to being the third star after Craig Anderson kept the Senators in it and Colin Greening scored the overtime-winner. The Penguins were held to fewer than three goals for the first time in these playoffs, so look for the offense to really come out flying in game four.

NHL Betting Preview: Ottawa Senators

It will be on Anderson and the Ottawa defense to weather the storm again in game four, and that will mean clearing out the front of the net and allowing the goaltender to see everything. Ottawa has struggled to get many pucks past Vokoun in this online sports betting series, but has to be careful not to take too many chances and leave Anderson exposed. Alfredsson stepped up with a big game-tying goal in game three and Greening scored the winner, and it will be interesting to see who steps up next in game four.

NHL Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick

The Senators are likely going to have to score more than two goals in order to win consecutive games against Pittsburgh, but that could be easier said than done. Ottawa didn’t get on the board until they capitalized on a terrible defensive gaffe with under a minute to play, and if the Penguins’ offense actually does get going in this game, it could be a long night for the home fans.

NHL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins