That was a thriller. The Chicago Blackhawks played the longest game in franchise history in a triple overtime 3-2 victory over Anaheim in Game 2. The Blackhawks have now seized home ice advantage from the Ducks as the series shifts to Chicago. Can they keep Anaheim on its toes in Game 3 at United Center? Read on for everything you need to know in the Western Conference Final.
The Lightning also seized home ice advantage in the Eastern Conference Final. Check out our Game 3 preview for the Rangers vs. Lightning.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game 3 Preview
Series Scores and Schedule
Game 1 – Chicago Blackhawks 1 at Anaheim Ducks 4
Game 2 – Chicago Blackhawks 3 at Anaheim Ducks 2 (3OT)
Game 3 – May 21, 8:00 PM ET – Anaheim Ducks (+130) at Chicago Blackhawks (-150); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Game 4 – May 23, 8:00 PM ET – Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 5 – May 25, 9:00 PM ET – Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks
Game 6* – May 27, 8:00 PM ET – Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks
Game 7* – May 30, 8:00 PM ET – Chicago Blackhawks at Anaheim Ducks
*If necessary
Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
Much like they did in Game 1, the Anaheim Ducks once again started slow in Game 2. They paid for it this time, going down 2-0 early in the first period. But these Ducks just keep finding the back of the net. Andrew Cogliano chipped away at Chicago’s lead in the first period and Corey Perry tipped in a shot in the second to draw even.
[sc:NHL240 ]Anaheim still has room for improvement heading into Game 3. The team went 0-for-5 on the man advantage Tuesday. A couple of conversions may have helped avoid their first home loss of the postseason. They also allowed Chicago to score on 2-of-5 power play opportunities. But tighter defense will be easier to come by if Frederik Andersen remains stellar between the pipes.
Andersen set a new career-high with 53 saves in the contest for a stellar .946 save percentage against Chicago’s excellent forwards. The Ducks’ netminder stopped Chicago’s best scorer this postseason, Patrick Kane, in all six of his scoring opportunities.
Scoring should also be easier to come by after Perry finally found himself on the board for the first time this series. Perry should remain a threat on the road. He has four points (two goals and two assists) in four road games thus far into the postseason.
Secondary scoring may also ease the pressure off Perry to net crucial goals. Cogliano now joins Hampus Lindholm, Nate Thompson, Jakob Silfverberg and Kyle Palmieri as players to have scored a goal in this year’s Western Conference Final. Sami Vatanen could have joined them as well, but he hit the post twice in overtime.
The Ducks are a very good road team in these playoffs, winning three of four games away from home. They have also done well at Chicago, winning four of their last five at United Center.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
If you think Andersen’s 53 saves were impressive, Chicago goalie Corey Crawford topped that with a career-high 60 saves in the Blackhawks’ triple overtime win. After giving up a second period goal, Crawford shut out the Ducks (the best scoring team in the postseason) for nearly 80 minutes of action. The Chicago goalie should be even better at home, where he’s 3-0 with a 1.42 GAA and .948 save percentage this postseason.
But the Blackhawks can’t rely on Crawford to bail them out for the second straight game against the postseason’s best scoring team. They’ll need to be able to sustain the offensive pressure they put on against the Ducks. After racing to an early 8-1 edge in shots on goal, the Blackhawks eventually faded down the stretch. The Ducks ended the game with a 62-56 advantage in shots on goal.
Chicago’s defense could also falter down the stretch if they continue to use a four defenseman rotation. Duncan Keith logged just under 50 minutes of time on ice, while Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook played for over 47 minutes in the triple overtime win. Johnny Oduya logged about 46 minutes of time on ice. The Ducks have enough talent deep in their rotation that can score against Chicago’s tiring blue liners.
The Blackhawks can fire back though. Andrew Shaw and Marian Hossa scored power-play goals in the first period to soar to a two-goal lead. Marcus Kruger scored his second goal of the playoffs, the game-winner in the third overtime period. Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, Bryan Bickell, Seabrook, Oduya and Brad Richards also each picked up points from their respective assists.
Chicago could be even more dangerous if Kane gets himself on the board. The former Conn Smythe winner has sizzled at home this postseason with four goals and two assists in five games at United Center. After back-to-back scoreless games, Kane is due to for a big game in this series.
The Blackhawks have won all five of their home games this postseason.
Writer’s Prediction
Anaheim regains the series lead with a 4-2 victory. Create a betting account now and score your own goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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