Nick Parsons Available Picks

June, 04 2008 8:00pm EST
TOTAL: Under 5 (110)
PUSH

Detroit Red Wings at Pittsburgh Penguins

UNDER in Pittsburgh vs Detroit @ 8:05 PM ET – Finally, in the Game Five “Thriller” on Monday, a game in this series managed to get over the total. However, that was the first “Over” in this series and we do not expect a repeat of that tonight. Note that prior to the Game Five Penguins triple overtime win, they had averaged just one goal per game in the first four games of this series. Taking a look at Detroit, note that they have averaged just 2.5 goals per game in the last four games. Ever since taking Game One by a 4-0 Final, the Red Wings offense has not been able to match that type of offensive output. Also, in Game One, there were two goals in the final three minutes of the game. In Game Five, the only reason the game got over the total is because the Penguins scored the equalizer with 35 seconds to go in the game. Otherwise, the game would have ended 3-2 and been a push on the total. Instead, there was a late goal and that necessitated a game-winning goal in OT. The point being made here is that just in looking at the first 57 minutes of each game in this series, there have only been 18 goals scored in the series (an average of just 3.6 goals per game). As you can see, this is giving us some fantastic value with the UNDER in what is sure to be a tightly played Game Five. The Penguins only allowed the Red Wings to score two goals in each game played at the Mellon Arena in this series. As for the Red Wings defense and goaltender Chris Osgood, you know they are hungry to bounce back after blowing a chance to wrap up the series by winning Game Five 3 to 2. The Red Wings defense and netminding is sure to be even stingier in this game and a 2-1 type game is what should be expected here. Of course, that spells UNDER and this is a big play because of the style we expect to be played here. Detroit doesn’t want to make mistakes on the road while the Penguins are quite willing to play a conservative game at home where they feel confident about simply finding a way to win like they’ve been doing at home for months now! This absolutely should not be a “loosey-goosey” type affair. UNDER gets the call as the Finals Total of the Year! Also, should this end up being the last game of the season (if Detroit gets the win) I just want to say thanks again for your patronage this hockey season and we’ll see you again come early October! I already can hardly wait for the next NHL season! Good Luck, Nick “BookieKiller” Parsons