PITTSBURGH – Not since the Detroit Red Wings has an NHL team turned the repeat trick. And the Pittsburgh Penguins are [positioned to do just that this Stanley Cup Final if they can get past the Nashville Predators.
The Penguins dispatched the San Jose Sharks last season and found their way to the 2017 Final by defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals and Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference. None of the series were particularly easy and the Penguins managed to get some of their players back of the injured list like Carl Hagelin.
But the Pens have not had the heart of their team, Kris Letang, in the lineup throughout the post season. That has not meant his presence has not been evident.
“Well, Tanger is a great teammate. He really cares about this group,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said. “Even though he hasn’t played in a playoff game this year, he’s still every bit invested in this team and helping them win as he is when he’s in the lineup.
“Obviously his teammates have a lot of respect for him. His coaching staff certainly has a lot of respect for him. He brings us things. We ask him to watch the power play, for example, our defensemen.
“Him and Sergei Gonchar spend a lot of time together in putting their collective thoughts together that they bring down, and help our coaching staff as far as any adjustments that we need to make, or any sort of situations that we have to bring to our team’s attention. That’s just an indication of how invested Tanger is with this Penguins team, and how badly he wants to win.”
The Predators have some injuries as well and Ryan Johansen will miss the entire Final series after an injury in the Anaheim Ducks Western Conference Final.
But it’s the defense that Preds head coach Peter Laviolette depends on regardless of the opposition.
“Well, I think all of our defensemen have done a really good job. It’s more difficult, I think, on the road to maybe get matchups forwards and defensively,” Laviolette said. “But I know with regard to the top four, they’ve both played against top lines. A lot of the teams that we’ve gone through have had two top lines, two centermen that can draw your attention. Last round was the same thing. This round is no different.
“Even in the first series in Chicago, there were two lines we had to really make sure we took care of defensively. There’s a lot of trust that goes into all of our players, certainly our top four defensemen.”
Nashville will ice in its first Stanley Cup Final as a franchise and they made it through the Western Conference by sweeping the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round then eliminating the St Louis Blues and Ducks in succession.
Only the Chicago series was relatively easy with the Blackhawks being shut out twice and Pekka Rinne yielding just three goals in the sweep.
Rinne has been a standout in the post season but has not been burdened with carrtying the club to the Final.
“For Hockey fans who are looking to bet on NHL for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals, they should take into account the current betting line, which is in favor of the Penguins at 1.5. Although, the Predators have given all of us a surprise in their first appearance in the Finals. So, at this point, anything can happen.” says David Strauss, line director at MyBookie Online Sportsbook.
Monday night starts the quest for a repeat for the hoisting of a first time Cup.
Game Odds
Game:
Nashville Predators vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Spread:
Nashville Predators +1½-235
Pittsburgh Penguins -1½+190
Total:
5½ O+125 / U-145
Moneyline:
Nashville Predators +145
Pittsburgh Penguins -170
Odds By MyBookie
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