Plus the Canadiens are in Tampa with their NHL series knotted 2-2, and the NBA Raptors go into Cleveland as heavy betting underdogs
Playoff series, especially ones that are seven games in length, are marked by momentum shifts, that can be boiled down to individual shifts.
Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby has singlehandedly authored a big series shift against the Philadelphia Flyers. Just a few days ago, down 3-0 in the series, the Penguins looked old, beat-up and discombobulated.
Then in Game 4, in Philadelphia, Crosby sniped a pivotal power play goal in the first period, to make a statement, then set a nice screen on Flyers defenceman Travis Sanheim to get Penguins’ defenceman Kris Letang a clean look, which he converted to make the game 3-1, some needed cushion since the Flyers would make it 3-2 and bring the crowd back into it.
Then Monday, back in Pittsburgh, it was Crosby again – two assists in the 3-2 win, to draw the Penguins back into the series.
As Crosby said after, “I think we have a lot of belief in our group, and we’ve done it time and time again.”
Crosby said the Penguins have found their stride. That’s why the Flyers should be very nervous going into tonight. Experience meshed with momentum, no matter the average age on the team, is a lethal combination.
BEST BETS
NHL
Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning, today, 7 p.m. EST, Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Series tied 2-2
Under +100
At Betway this morning, the Lightning are the betting favorites, at -165, with the Canadiens at +135. Tampa Bay is -1.5, +145, and Montreal +1.5, -190. The Over/Under is 5.5. Over is -120, Under +100.
A tightly fought, physical series heads back to Florida, after the Lightning’s gutsy 3-2 win in Montreal Sunday night. Brandon Hagel has seven goals and one assist over the past 10 games. Juraj Slafkovsky has four goals and five assists over the past ten games for Montreal.
Defensemen Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Victor Hedman remain out for Tampa. Defenseman Noah Dobson is out for the Habs.
The last three have all been five total goal games. I like the value on the Under, and I like the play of the two goalies over the series – Andrei Vasilevskiy and Jakub Dobes.
BEST BETS
NHL
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers, today, 7:30 p.m. EST, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Flyers lead the series 3-2
Flyers Moneyline
At Betway, the Flyers are the betting favorites, at -120, with the Penguins at +100. Philadelphia is -1.5, +200, on home ice, and Pittsburgh +1.5, -275. The Over/Under is 5.5. Over is -125, Under +105.
So, can Crosby and the Pens get it done for the third game in a row to tie the series and bring it back to Pittsburgh Saturday night? That would make them the fifth NHL team in post-season history to erase an 0-3 series lead.
I don’t see it. It will a tense, grind it out affair, and the Flyers get it done in regulation more times than not. Props to the Pens for taking it this far but Flyers coach Rick Tocchet is going to have his squad ready to go on home ice.
Flyers goalie Dan Vladar will get back to standing on his head, helping to ward off an epic collapse, because Crosby on home ice for a Game 7? Watch out, all bets are off.
A good, reliable prop is Crosby Over 2.5 shots, -130 at Betway.
BEST BETS
NBA
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers, tonight, 7:30 p.m. EST, Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Series tied 2-2
Raptors ATS
At Betway, the Cavaliers are big favorites at home, at -400, with the Raptors at +300. Cleveland is -8.5, -115, the Raptors +8.5, -105. Over/Under is 216.5. The Over is -110, the Under -110.
Cleveland wins this one on home court, but it isn’t a blowout. Raptors’ coach Darko Rajakovic has made more good adjustments than bad ones over the series, and the team played two strong home court games, overall, to even it up.
Immanuel Quickley is out for the Raptors, with that hamstring strain, a tough blow since he’s their main ball handler, and the half court has lost some spacing. The Raptors are missing Quickley’s scoring and playmaking punch. And it means the Raptors are relying on Scottie Barnes more.
No injuries to report for the Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell is a beast in Cleveland playoff games – so I am taking 25+ points for Mitchell as well (-175).
The Raptors grind out a close game but come back to Toronto Friday looking to even the series.
