Winning streak improves Penguins' position — and Stanley Cup odds

By HOME FIELD SPORTS STAFF

What a difference a week makes for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Penguins had lost four straight heading into the last week of February, including an embracing effort in a 7-2 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 23. That stretch pushed Pittsburgh out of both of the wild card positions in the Eastern Conference and dropped their odds to win the Stanley Cup down to +3500 or +4000 on some boards. But the Penguins have recovered with a four-game win streak that elevated them back to a favorable position in the wild card race. The streak was extended with a 5-4 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, the Penguins’ second win over the Lightning in five days.

Defenseman Jeff Petry scored two goals just 25 seconds apart in the second period and Jason Zucker scored twice, including the game-winner at 2:13 of overtime. For bettors that got the Penguins on the money line, it was a nice payday at +145, and for the safer play of taking Pittsburgh with a +1.5 puck line, it paid -170. And the goal total easily hit over the 6.5 total posted at -125 odds.

Coach Mike Sullivan added that every win and every point is necessary this time of year.

“It’s important for us to get wins, regardless of our opponent,” Sullivan said. “Obviously we’ve got a ton of respect for that team. They’re an accomplished group, loaded with talent. They’ve got a quick-strike attack, they’re hard to play against, they’re deep. There aren’t too many weaknesses on that team. Our guys competed really hard. I think it means a lot to take four points from a team like that in the same week. I think our guys feel good about it. We can build on this one, for sure.”

This surge has put Pittsburgh (31-21-9) back in the first wild card position with 71 points, one point ahead of the New York Islanders with three games in hand. The Penguins are five points ahead of the rest of the contending pack in the Eastern Conference, a four-team group with the Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers.

It also improved Pittsburgh’s Stanley Cup odds back to +3000 at FanDuel Sportsbook.

Pittsburgh also made some roster moves before the trade deadline, acquiring center Mikael Granlund from the Nashville Predators to help bolster the bottom six group of forwards. Granlund, 31, is someone that can play in any situation. He can play on the second power-play line and also kill penalties. With 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists), Granlund is a good candidate to offer some secondary scoring.

“I know he’s a real mobile guy that has a lot of versatility to his game,” Sullivan said. “He can play all three forward positions. I could tell early on he’s got a lot of hockey sense; he’s got a high hockey IQ.”

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