We hit the playoff ice off on the right foot, as the Boston Bruins got the win to even up the series and to put us in the win column. Tonight we head to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins will try to even their series against the New York Islanders.
The Islanders grabbed home ice on Sunday with a 4-3 overtime victory. Trade deadline pickup Kyle Palmieri was the star of the show, as he opened the scoring and then supplied the game winner in overtime, notching 2 points on the night. JG Pageau added two assists and acted as a catalyst for a hit or miss Islander attack. The Isles need Matt Barzal to pitch in tonight if they hope to take both games in Pittsburgh. Ilya Sorokin got the surprise start in game one, he looked shaky at first, giving up 3 goals but he got into the grove and made 42 saves and got the win. I'll be interested to see if Semyon Varlamov is healthy and if he gets the call tonight.
Different year, same story for the Penguins facing the Islanders in the playoffs. Despite controlling much of the play, the Pens just can't figure out how to beat these guys. The offense actually looked good against the stingy Islander defense. Sidney Crosby and Kasperi Kapanen both hit the back of the net and Freddy Gaudreau added some depth scoring to round out the Penguins offense. Jake Guentzel and Bryan Rust need to bring their "A" game tonight and provide that deep scoring punch that has been the calling card of the Penguin attack all season. The key to a Penguins victory, rests upon the shoulders of Tristan Jarry. He didn't inspire much confidence on Sunday, giving up 4 goals on 45 shots.
The Penguins need this game tonight, they cant afford to head on the road down 0-2. Its a big leap from needing and getting that win. The Penguins controlled the pace most of the way Sunday and I look for that to continue tonight. Jake Guentzel or Bryan Rust will dent the score sheet tonight, Tristan Jarry needs to win the goalie matchup, and the Penguins will even this series at home tonight.
PICK: Pittsburgh -135 (1 unit)
YTD: 4-2 +1.6 units
MTD: 3-1 +1.9 units
MLB: 3-1 +1.9 units
NHL: 1-1 -0.3 units
NCAAF: 0-0
NFL: 0-0
NCAAB: 0-0
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