Friday's NHL Picks

Important things to know about the Stanley cup Finals

Here are some stats that have been compiled on both the Penguins and Redwings throughout the first 3 series of the playoffs.

Records

The Penguins are 8-1 in their last 9 playoff games including a 4 game winning streak on the road. Detroit is 7-2 in their last 9 playoff games and have also won 5 in a row at home.

Playoff Trends

In the playoffs each team starts the sereies playing 2 games at home and 2 on the road.  Detroit have won all their game #1's at home and are a combined 5-1 in the first 2 games of each series. 

Pittsburgh on the road were all over the place winning the first 2 in Carolina, losing the first 2 in Washington and splitting the first 2 in Philly. 

Based on the above facts it's almost a sure bet that Pitsburgh will probably not be leaving Detroit with a 2-0 series lead and it is highly likely Detroit will probably win game 1.  What happens in Game 2 if Detroit does win game 1 is anybody's guess. 

As impressive as Detroit's 5-1 home record is in game's 1+2, Pittsburgh's is better.  The Penguins are a perfect 6-0 at home in their first 2 games at home, while Detroit have split the first 2 road game's twice and won the first 2 once (in Columbus). The  Red wings are 3-0 on the road in game 4's so if the Wings lose game 3 it might be wise to layoff game 4 because you'll be going against two 3-0 trends for both teams.

Back-to-back statistics

... [More]