FLORIDA PANTHERS @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, 7:30PM US
(12:30AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

This is the home opener for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have completed their 3 game road trip in Canada and are now back on the east coast. They have a 2-0-1 mark so far and will entertain the Florida Panthers, who are 1-0-0 so far. Pittsburgh are listed as heavy favourites at home, but there are a few changes to both starting lines which makes me think this will be closer than anyone is expecting.

Pittsburgh have gone met Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton away, and almost got maximum points from those games. They begin a 3 game homestand now but their offence has taken a big blow, which means they will not be firing like they have been. Evgeni Malkin had a lower body injury which means he is listed as probable, but unlikely, which Sidney Crosby is definitely out due to a concussion. This is a problem because today they are going up against a team that while isn't very powerful on offence, is very clinical on defence.

The Florida Panthers started their season with a win over the New York Islanders, scoring 2 but keeping a clean sheet. This is typical of the Panthers, who tend to shut down opponents and score when the opportunity arises instead of going gung-ho.

The big news here is that Jose Theodore is back between the sticks for the Panthers. Against the Islanders, he saved 27 shots to record a shut-out for the 31st time in his career. He is going to be a problem for the Penguins tonight, because he has their number.

Theodore has 19 wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins, more than he has against any other team. He has also shut them out 4 times and his overall record against them is 19-4-1.

That covers the offensive issues tonight for Pittsburgh, which matches up well against the stronger defence brought by Florida. Pittsburgh has an excellent defence of it's own, and a good sign of this is how they have played when they have a man disadvantage, called the powerplay. This is when defences are at their weakest but Pittsburgh have not surrendered a single goal when in this position and they have already had it 11 times so far. That is rare, and it gives me the confidence in believing they will not let in many goals tonight.

BETTING VERDICT

I think Pittsburgh will just about edge this tonight, but there are question marks over their offence with those stars missing. So, I will put my trust in the defences and say this match will stay low-scoring. Take the under.

The Pick :

Under 5.5 goals

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Under 5.5 goals to be scored @ 1.95