PREMIUM
**$20 TUESDAY** Rogers' 10* TOTAL MASSACRE >> PERFECT 5-0 OU Run!
(NHL) Pittsburgh vs. Columbus,
Total: 5.50 | 100.00 Over
Result: Loss
Total: 5.50 | 100.00 Over
Result: Loss
The set-up: The defending champs have played up to their pedigree, opening with home wins of 3-1 and 4-1, then overcoming a 3-1 deficit at Columbus for a 5-4 OT win in Game 3. 22-year-old rookie Jake Guentzel completed a hat trick at 13:10 of overtime to give the Penguins a 3-0 series lead. One more win and the Pittsburgh Penguins sweep their way into the second round and one more loss for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the best season in franchise history comes to an abrupt end.
Pittsburgh: Guentzel recorded his second straight game-winning goal on Sunday's and has 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in his last 14 contests overall. He had 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 40 games with the club this season. Bryan Rust scored twice in Game 3 to give him seven goals in his past 11 playoff games. Fellow forward Evgeni Malkin recorded his 14th career three-point performance by scoring in his second straight game and adding two assists to increase his point total to six (two goals, four assists) in the series. Not to be outdone, captain Sidney Crosby has set up two goals in back-to-back contests after being held off the scoresheet in the series opener.
Columbus: Zach Werenski, who was first in NHL scoring among rookie defensemen with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists, saw his season came to a close after he sustained a ghastly facial fracture, taking a puck under his right eye on Sunday. His loss makes the Blue Jackets' uphill climb even steeper against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The pick: Columbus is facing a huge challenge but veteran forward Scott Hartnell reminded his teammates Monday that the deficit is not insurmountable, as he played a role in the Philadelphia Flyers' comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins to win a first-round series back in 2010. "We're still in this thing," Hartnell said. "We've still got another game to play. I don't think any of us envisioned this. I thought we deserved a better fate. We're playing good enough to win. There is a belief in (the locker room). There were good vibes that were positive. We'll still here and putting on our skates." I expect Columbus to come with its "A game" and that makes the Under a 10* play.
Pittsburgh: Guentzel recorded his second straight game-winning goal on Sunday's and has 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists) in his last 14 contests overall. He had 33 points (16 goals, 17 assists) in 40 games with the club this season. Bryan Rust scored twice in Game 3 to give him seven goals in his past 11 playoff games. Fellow forward Evgeni Malkin recorded his 14th career three-point performance by scoring in his second straight game and adding two assists to increase his point total to six (two goals, four assists) in the series. Not to be outdone, captain Sidney Crosby has set up two goals in back-to-back contests after being held off the scoresheet in the series opener.
Columbus: Zach Werenski, who was first in NHL scoring among rookie defensemen with 47 points (11 goals, 36 assists, saw his season came to a close after he sustained a ghastly facial fracture, taking a puck under his right eye on Sunday. His loss makes the Blue Jackets' uphill climb even steeper against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
The pick: Columbus is facing a huge challenge but veteran forward Scott Hartnell reminded his teammates Monday that the deficit is not insurmountable, as he played a role in the Philadelphia Flyers' comeback from a 3-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins to win a first-round series back in 2010. "We're still in this thing," Hartnell said. "We've still got another game to play. I don't think any of us envisioned this. I thought we deserved a better fate. We're playing good enough to win. There is a belief in (the locker room). There were good vibes that were positive. We'll still here and putting on our skates." I expect Columbus to come with its "A game" and that makes the Under a 10* play.
