It’s Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins. The defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to go to Nashville with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Predators are looking to avoid their first two game losing streak of the postseason.
The Penguins won the first game by scoring three goals in the first period. Pittsburgh is the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and came into the finals with a 7 game series double overtime win over Ottawa. The Pittsburgh Penguins are listed at -145 over the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. Find the latest NHL betting odds here.
2017 NHL Expert Picks Nashville Predators Vs Pittsburgh Penguins
When: Wednesday May 31st, 2017; 7:00pm CT
Where: PPG Paints Arena; Pittsburgh, PA
TV: NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS
Stream Option: NHL.TV
Odds: Pittsburgh Penguins -145
Why Bet on Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators came into the Stanley Cup Finals with a 12-4 record. The Predators swept the top team in the Western Conference; the Blackhawks. Nashville then took care of both St. Louis and Anaheim in 6 games. The Predators finished the regular season as the 8th seed in the Western Conference.
The Predators first goal of the Stanley Cup came from Ryan Ellis. It was his fifth goal of the postseason. The goal was assisted by P.K. Subban and Mike Fisher. The Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has been fantastic. Rinne came into the Stanley Cup Finals with all 12 wins, and allowed just 1.7 goals per game.
Why Bet on Pittsburgh Penguins
After the Penguins used the double overtime win over Ottawa, they got the rest they needed. The Penguins scored three first period goals to win Game 1. The Penguins got the party started with Evgeni Malkin scoring his 8th goal of the postseason. Sidney Crosby assisted on both the first two goals, while Nick Bonino added a goal late.
Matt Murray has been the goaltender lately for Pittsburgh. He took over for Marc-Andre Fluery after a couple shaking outings. Murray came into the Stanley Cup Finals allowing 1.35 goals per game. The Pittsburgh offense was the best in the regular season, as they scored 3.4 goals per game.
Expert Score & Prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins look to be the more talented team. The Nashville Predators came into the Stanley Cup Finals as a hotter team. But, experience goes the side of the Pittsburgh Penguins. This is the fourth Stanley Cup Finals trip for Sidney Crosby with the Penguins, and he is looking for his third cup.
Look for the experience of the Penguins to win again at home. The PPG Paints Arena has been a tough place to play this postseason, and Nashville is not going to figure out how to win. The final bet for this game on Wednesday is the Pittsburgh Penguins -145 over the Nashville Predators in Game 2.
