We always knew this series between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins was destined to be close, and it's panned out in such a way for sure. The Pens hold a 2-1 series lead heading into Game 4 on Wednesday night, and if they can figure out how to push the Presidents' Trophy holders to the brink of elimination, it would be a huge accomplishment.
You can bet on NHL odds at BookMaker.eu every day of the season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Pittsburgh got as high as -135 on Monday night for Game 3, and it really looked the part of the better team. We figure we'll see a spread right around that same mark in this one. Sure, the Penguins looked like the greater squad, but this is also desperation time for the Caps. A loss in this game, and their run in the Stanley Cup playoffs might be coming to a screeching halt in a hurry.
The total of a flat 5 pushed on Monday, and there's a really good chance we'll see right around five goals again in this one on Wednesday night.
GOALIE REPORT
The legend of Matthew Murray is growing with every shot he stops. He went 47-of-49 on Monday night, including stopping 19-of-21 shots in the third period to slam the door shut in a game which got tenser than it should've been.
The rookie is now 5-0-1 with a 1.79 GAA and a .944 save percentage in the postseason.
Braden Holtby wasn't good enough in Game 3. He stopped 20-of-23 shots and took his fourth loss of the playoffs along the way.
Sure, Holtby needs some help from his mates in front of him, but there's no way that he can allow three goals without facing 40 shots in this game and live to tell about it.
LIVE BETTING
It's about time Alexander Ovechkin has gotten going again. It might've been a little too late, but Ovie had a goal and an assist in the third period to help bring Washington back within striking distance at 3-2 after falling behind 3-0.
The Russian hadn't scored in five straight games, and for a man who netted 50 this year in the regular season and has been the best goal scorer on this club for over a decade, he just can't do that.
QUICK PICK
The fact that Ovechkin got going again is a good sign for the Capitals, and we think they're set to take home ice advantage back in this series.
Pittsburgh was almost a little too complacent in the third period on Monday night, and it nearly cost it dearly. If that's how it comes out of the gates on Wednesday, it'll end up behind early on and might not recover.
At some point, this magical run for Murray is going to end, and when it does, we want to be there for it. The Capitals are too good to just fall apart in the face of adversity, even against a really good team. The value here is just going to be too good to pass on.
NHL Odds: Capitals 4, Penguins 1
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly interface on your smartphone or tablet provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 4 of the series between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the CONSOL Energy Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC Sports Network.
