NHL Betting – Has the Clock Struck Midnight for the Cinderella Habs?

The Pittsburgh Penguins are on the verge of eliminating the Cinderella Montreal Canadiens. The NHL Betting public probably cannot wait until the pesky Habs are gone. Then normality can return and NHL bets can be placed with some measure of confidence. The Habs however, have proven that eliminating them is no easy task – just ask the Washington Capitals

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Montreal Canadiens
7:00 PM ET, Monday, May 10, 2010
Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec
On: Versus (USA) and CBC (Canada)

Pittsburgh leads series 3-2

Pittsburgh Penguins: -190

The Pittsburgh Penguins have to be breathing a sigh of relief. They are ahead in the series despite their best players struggling at times in the series. Sidney Crosby has yet to score in the series but does have three assists, Evgeni Malkin has been invisible at times but was the best player on the ice in Game 5 and Marc-Andre Fleury has been hot and cold directly leading to the two wins that the Pens have surrendered to the Montreal Canadiens.

For the Penguins, success is predicated upon getting traffic in front of and disrupting Jaroslav Halak. It seems obvious I know, but the only times that Pittsburgh has been able to do it was in Games 1 and 5, both victories. Bill Guerin’s presence in the lineup is bigger than one would think – he is able and willing to go to those intimidating places on the ice to give the Habs defense fits.

The offense should be fine, but the defense is another story all together. The defensive corp. has been OK but has been let down on occasion by Marc-Andre Fleury. If Fleury plays well, the Penguins should eliminate Montreal on Monday night. A game 5 performance by Fleury is a good sign for the Penguins.

Puckline: Pittsburgh: -1.5 (170): Montreal: +1.5 (-205)

Montreal Canadiens: +160

One thing is certain and that is that anything is possible when the Montreal Canadiens are involved. Montreal has been in this position numerous times before and will not be intimidated by a Game 6. In fact, they should be happy.

Montreal has not exactly been offensive juggernauts in the series so far but they have proven to be as opportunistic as any team in the post season. The top line and the top power play unit of Mike Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Thomas Plekanec have has a habit of big goals, power play goals and game changing shifts. If given the chance, these three will make you pay.

Defense is a huge question mark going into Game 6 for the Montreal Canadiens. Hal Gill was injured in Game 6 and his injury creates a huge hole on the Montreal back end. Chances are that he will be forced to sit Game 6 out but good news could come in the form of Jaroslav Spacek and or Andrei Markov. Unfortunately for the Canadiens, the health of an already paper thin blue line could be the determining factor in Game 6. Halak will be fine as always but if he does not have the horses in front of him, he could be rendered helpless.

The Montreal Canadiens are accustomed to adversity. Their season has been as tumultuous as any in the post season. A home town crowd and the fact the Habs have nothing to lose (except for the series!!!!!), should be enough for the Habs to live another day. Look for another in the long line of playoff upsets for the Cinderella Habs.

NHL Betting Pick: Montreal Canadiens +160

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