Holy Surprises Batman! Just when you think you knew what was going to happen, everything gets turned on its head.
Pitt 4 @ NYR 3 (3OT)
Malkin: "We know we can win every game if we play right. We play smart. We play hard. I think we deserved to win tonight." pic.twitter.com/BMvu0dxCKy
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 4, 2022
Nothing like a 3OT to start the series! And for the people scoring at home that’s just like playing TWO WHOLE games in one night! Not sure how that’s going to effect the “Old Man Rules” crew of Boyle (37), Carter (37), Malkin (35), Letang (34) and Sid “The Kid” (34). Guentzel is clearly the heir apparent for the Penguins and he showed it last night. Malkin decided to show up and make his presence known and Cindy Crybaby also had a strong game. And BIG props to Louis Domingue for chowing down a couple of spicy pork sandys between the first and second period and coming in cold in OT for DeSmith (who is filling in for Jarry). The Rangers didn’t look like the Rangers of the last couple of weeks and it really showed when they didn’t take advantage of the goalie change. You gotta crash the crease, disrupt his vision and as Dave Portnoy says…Get pucks on net. Mika Zibanejad, Andrew Copp and Chris Kreider continue to carry the offense for the Blue Shirts. Vatrano for some reason thought he was a tough guy and got distracted on what his role was on the ice. The Bread Man also was a no show with only two shots on goal. Shesterkin stopped 79 shots and you can’t ask anything more from the MVP candidate.
Wash 4 @ Fla 2
B-E-A-UUUUTIFUL pic.twitter.com/garQt2scQD
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 4, 2022
I don’t think the score really reflects the actual game. Florida was up 2-1 going into the third period and not for two horrible defensive decisions by MacKenzie Weegar, Florida wins a solid Game 1. But that’s not what happened and when you give opportunities to an older and definitely veteran team like Washington, who does have a ton of talent, they’re going to capitalize on it. But much like Toronto’s win against TB, Washington should be happy to steal one on the road because I don’t see Florida allowing that to happen again.
Nash 2 @ Col 7
Cale Makar speciality 🤌🏻#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/RhXkGbk2xh
— z – Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 4, 2022
Juuse Saros definitely makes a difference because Dave Rittich will not be able to handle the onslaught called the Colorado Avalanche offense. Rittich didn’t last long after giving up 5 goals on 13 shots. And they were quick goals too! MacKinnon and Toews score back to back in 22 seconds and 2:42 in Colorado is up 2-0. Shorthanded goal by Duck veteran Cogliano, Makar with a nasty move down to the crease off the facemask and Lehkonen who made it 5-0 in the first period. Good night Irene! Cruise control from there. I can’t see Nashville making any kind of stand and it should be short and quick.
Dall 0 @ Cgy 1
Elias Viktor Zebulon Lindholm.
That's it. That's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/EQMroS7UF9
— y – Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 4, 2022
Highlight of the game….Michael Raffl and Matthew Tkahuk fight. Raffl has dropped the gloves a good number of times during his NHL career and I love that he gave it back to Matt the Ratt. A low shooting and low scoring game wasn’t a surprise here. Both starting goalies were on their game. Oettinger and Markstrom did what they needed to in front of their crease and we should expect the same for the duration of the series. Calgary was definitely the more aggressive team with regards to hitting and Dallas has the beef to defend their top line. It will be fun to see the scrums and hits escalate as we progress.
Things to Consider:
Apparently the refs got the message and kept their whistles in their pocket. All but the Dall/Cgy game (10 penalties) had minimal advantages.
PICKS for Thursday
NYR ML
Florida -PL and Over
Colorado -PL and Over
Dallas +PL and Under
OVERALL RECORD (7-7)
Net +$62
Monday (2-2) -$31
CAR ML (W) +$100, TOR ML (W) +$100, MIN ML (L) -$131, EDM -PL (L) -$100
Tuesday (2-3) -$146
NYR ML (L) -$146, FLA PL (L) -$100, COL -PL (W) +$100, CGY -PL (L) -$100, CGY/DAL Under 5.5 (W) +$100
Wednesday (3-2) +$208
CAR ML (W) +$100, CAR -PL (W) +$215, CAR/BOS Over 5.5 (W) +$100, STL ML (L) -$100; EDM/LA Over 6.5 (L) – $107
