Most experts in our experts’ picks and predictions article picked the Chicago Blackhawks as their Western Conference’s representative to the Stanley Cup finals. The Blackhawks are three wins away from proving those pundits correct after the team outclassed the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series.
Can the Blackhawks move a step closer to the Stanley Cup finals? Or will the Kings stop Chicago on their tracks? Get in on the best hockey action of the year by creating a betting account now and read on for everything you need to know about Game 2.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Western Conference Finals, Game 2 Preview
Game 1 –May 18, Los Angeles 1 at Chicago 3
Game 2 – May 21, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles (+135) at Chicago (-155); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Game 3 – May 24, 8:00 PM ET, Chicago at Los Angeles
Game 4 – May 26, 9:00 PM ET, Chicago at Los Angeles
Game 5 (if necessary) – May 28, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at Chicago
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 30, 9:00 PM ET, Chicago at Los Angeles
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 1, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at Chicago
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings need to score more in order to get through the Chicago Blackhawks, who are riding the hot play of their goalie.After Los Angeles scored just one goal in Game 1, the totals have now hit the under in three of the Kings’ last five outings.
[sc:NHL240 ]Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Dustin Brown, and Justin Williams have gone almost completely silent since the first round of the playoffs. After combining for 11 goals in the first round against the San Jose Sharks, the foursome has netted just two goals, both of which were scored in Game 7 of the second round. If not for Jonathan Quick’s (2.75 GAA, .912 SV%) valiant efforts in the net, the Kings would likely be out of the playoffs by now.
The Kings’ offense will give it a try again in Game 2 on the road, where their offense has done well in these playoffs. Los Angeles leads all teams in the postseason with 29 road goals. They have also won five of their last seven road games.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
Despite a four day rest, the Blackhawks remained red hot, winning their third straight game and eighth of their last 10 overall in Game 1. Like LA (and almost every team that’s challenged for a cup in the last ten years), Chicago’s success has a lot to do about the exceptional play of goalie Corey Crawford.
Crawford, who turned away all but one of the Kings’ 26 attempts in the series opener, has the highest save percentage (.933) in these Playoffs among goalies who played at least six games. Furthermore, his 1.90 GAA is the lowest for goalies with at least three games.
The penalty kill that stifled both the St. Louis Blues and the Minnesota Wild power plays in the previous two rounds showed up to play in Game 1 against the Kings. Los Angeles came into the series with power play goals in the playoffs (11), but went 0-for-2 on the man advantage against the Blackhawks. Chicago’s 91.7% penalty kill is no.1 in the postseason, thus far.
While Chicago set a dominant tone in Game 1, the Kings have shown they are capable of coming back strong in any series – it should be a great Game 2.
Writer’s Prediction
The resilient Kings will score more than one goal in Game 2, and Jonathan Quick will outduel Corey Crawford. Take the Kings to win at +135 and the game to go under the total.
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