The Chicago Blackhawks ended the Anaheim Ducks’ playoff home win streak in Tuesday’s overtime victory. The Ducks returned the favor, handing Chicago its first home loss of the postseason in Game 3. Anaheim now owns a precious 2-1 series lead and could extend it even more with an excellent outing in Game 4.
Can the Blackhawks respond with a crucial game at home? Read on as we breakdown the next game in this heated Western Conference Final. The East is also gaining some steam. The Rangers and the Lightning contest Game 4 of their conference final at Tampa. Check out our complete preview for that game here.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Game 4 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 – Anaheim Ducks 2 at Chicago Blackhawks 1
Game 4 – May 23, 8:00 PM ET – Anaheim Ducks at Chicago Blackhawks – view all NHL lines
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
The Ducks as a team may have pulled off a crucial win on the road after a 2-1 victory at United Center on Thursday night. But no Duck stood mightier than Ryan Getzlaf and Frederik Andersen.
[sc:NHL240 ]Getzlaf continued being the amazing playmaker Anaheim needs him to be in the playoffs. He leads the team with a franchise record-tying 14 postseason assists after aiding in Patrick Maroon’s and Simon Depres’ goals in Game 3. He also won 12 of 21 faceoffs against the Blackhawks in that game.
The Ducks center is just one part of a devastating one-two combination in Anaheim’s frontline. Getzlaf and line mate Corey Perry, who was held pointless in Game 3, each have a team-high 16 points this postseason. Having the duo playing together has been crucial for the Ducks in the playoffs. Anaheim has outscored its opponents by nine with Getzlaf and Perry on the ice.
Scoring goals is important and all, but the Ducks wouldn’t be in this position if not for solid goaltending from Andersen. The Ducks goalie was spectacular in Game 3 with 27 saves. Part of his success is the excellent defensive play of the rest of the Ducks, especially on the penalty kill. Andersen faced just one shot on goal as the Ducks killed off five Blackhawks power plays.
Andersen now has stellar .957 save percentage and 1.27 GAA through three games in the Western Conference Final. But expect him to make some mistakes on the road. He hasn’t been as excellent away from home in this year’s playoffs with a .906 save percentage and 2.52 GAA.
The Ducks have won four of five playoff road games thus far.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane scored for the first time in the Western Conference Final and Corey Crawford stopped 25 of 27 shots. But those weren’t enough as the Chicago Blackhawks lost Game 3 on home ice. Chicago is now 4-1 in five home games this postseason.
Aside from Kane, the rest of the Blackhawks’ stars were quiet in Game 3. Jonathan Toews failed to convert on a potential game-tying shot in the third period, while Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa also failed to score.
But Chicago may not be contained for long, especially with an excellent playmaker like Duncan Keith on the blue line. Keith leads the team with nine assists this postseason. The Blackhawks have outscored their opposition by seven when Keith is on the ice in the playoffs thus far. Toews is also a talented playmaker for the Blackhawks with eight assists this postseason.
As always, it’ll be crucial to get Kane on the board in this game. His eight goals are the most among the Blackhawks this postseason. Chicago is 5-2 when Kane scores in a game in the playoffs thus far. But that doesn’t mean that Chicago won’t be able to count on the rest of its players. Andrew Shaw, Brad Richards, Marcus Kruger and Hossa are the other Blackhawks to have scored in the conference final thus far.
Crawford could also do much better between the pipes. He is now 1-2 with a 1.80 GAA and .939 save percentage in the conference final. Crawford has played some of his best games at home, going 3-1 with a 1.59 GAA and .942 save percentage. He is 2-0 with a 1.00 GAA and .973 save percentage after a loss this postseason. Expect him to be a brick wall come Game 4.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blackhawks even the series with a 3-1 victory. Create a betting account now and pave your own way toward Lord Stanley’s Cup.
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