posted June 4, 2008 at 18:14 in NHL Free Picks

The Pittsburgh Penguins kept the Detroit Red Wings from raising the Stanley Cup title for the 11th time in franchise history on Monday night at Joe Louis Arena, following Game 5's 4-3 triple-OT win that sends play back to the Steel City on Wednesday that promises to make for an online NHL betting wet dream and we have all your money-making key sportsbook wagering trends.

In Game 4, Detroit was the only team this postseason to hand the Pens its only lost at Mellon Arena, ending a nine-game playoff winning streak and a 17-game straight home victory streak, dating to the regular season. Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury’s 19-game winning streak at home also ended, but the Pens are right back in the series down just 3-2 with a shot at home redemption on Wednesday.

Only the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs have battled back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win the Stanley Cup. If the Pens are to become just the second team in history to pull off the improbable comeback, Sidney Crosby, Fleury and others need to play their best postseason game to date on Wednesday, especially, center Evgeni Malkin who has been held scoreless by Detroit after he had 19 points in 14 playoff games.

There's still a glimmer of hope for Pittsburgh. The Wings held a 3-1 series lead against the Stars in the last round just as they enjoy against the Penguins now. Anticipating a clincher at home in Game 5, Detroit didn’t match Dallas’ urgency and lost 2-1 before clinching the series in a sixth game.

Game 6 Key NHL Online Gambling Trends for Pittsburgh:

- Penguins are 14-5 in their last 19 vs. Western Conference.

- Penguins are 5-13 in their last 18 vs. Central.

- Penguins are 9-4 in their last 13 games following a win.

- Penguins are 10-3 in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest.

- Penguins are 51-21 in their last 72 home games.

- Penguins are 23-9 in their last 32 overall.

The Wings, with five players who can win their fourth Stanley Cup with the team, hope this is where their experience pays off against the young, speedy and talented Pens in Game 6. Osgood has had to make an average of just 24.2 saves these playoffs due-in-part to a dazzling defense led by five-time Norris Trophy-winner Nicklas Lidstrom, Selke Trophy finalists Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

Chris Osgood has 13 shutouts in his career and became the first player between the pipes to post shutouts in the first two games at The Joe since New Jersey’s Martin Brodeur did it in 2003. Osgood is 13-4 with a sparkling 1.53 GAA this postseason and has allowed just eight goals against the Pens.

A win in Game 6 and Osgood would join Hall of Famer and former Wing Terry Sawchuk, as the only goaltenders in history to hoist the Stanley Cup at least 10 years apart. Sawchuk won titles in 1955 and 1967 and Osgood was Detroit’s No. 1 net keeper in 1998.

Game 6 Key NHL Online Betting Trends for Detroit:

- Red Wings are 11-3 in their last 14 Stanley Cup Finals games.

- Red Wings are 11-3 in their last 14 vs. Atlantic.

- Red Wings are 36-17 in their last 53 games playing on 1 days rest.

- Red Wings are 6-2 in their last 8 road games.

- Red Wings are 65-31 in their last 96 overall.

BetUS NHL odds are giving slight respect to Detroit to raise the Cup in Game 6 by pricing them at -130. If you wager on NHL play and you're a loyal Pens' supporter and feel your team can make the improbable comeback to become only the second team in history to raise the Cup by erasing a 3-1 hole, the adjusted series odds has the Wings priced at -700 and Pens +350. The puck for Game 6 drops at 8:00pm EST. Good luck!

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