NHL Hockey
2017-04-21 - Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NHL Ice Hockey Play Offs
Friday 21st April 2017 - Face Off 7:30pm
12:30am British Time
Preview
After dropping Game 1 in the series and falling 3-1 down in Game 2, the Ottawa Senators may have felt their 'Indian Sign' over the Boston Bruins had ended. However they fought back in Game 2 to win 4-3 in Overtime and then took two games in Boston to move into a 3-1 lead in this First Round series and Ottawa have the chance to close things out at home on Friday.
Ottawa do have two shots to do that against Boston on home ice, but they won't want to be pulled back into a Game 7 situation and the pressure that brings. Instead the Senators will be looking to close the series as soon as possible and are not focusing on the history of the numbers which shows Ottawa have not lost a Play Off series when leading 3-1, while Boston have never recovered to win a series from this position.
The Senators Head Coach Gary Boucher has admitted he 'couldn't care less' about the numbers and instead wants to see Ottawa make a solid start to Game 5. Playing strong Defense is key for the Senators as they throttled Boston in Game 4 and Boucher wants to put the pressure on the Bruins by making sure they give nothing away early in this one.
Boston are holding onto the fact they have already won in Ottawa during the Play Offs and that they have narrowly been beaten in the other three games. They feel it is a tight series and one or two big plays in their favour could quickly turn things back in their favour.
A big problem for the Bruins has been the injuries they have been dealing with and they are unlikely to have any new faces join the rotation. A lack of shots has also been criticised with Boston looking to find a way to create second chance opportunities to score the goals and break down the Ottawa Defensive shape.
Mentally it is a big ask for Boston who have lost nine of ten to Ottawa having dropped three in a row in the series. Ottawa are also 20-8 when they are playing with just one day of rest between games compared with the 0-4 record Boston have in the same spot. Ottawa have won six of their last seven at home against the Bruins and I think they can close the show on Friday.
Prediction
At odds against I think you can back the Ottawa Senators to find a way to win Game 5 of this series.
The Pick :
Ottawa Senators 3-2 Boston Bruins
