It wasn’t pretty, but the Chicago Blackhawks found a way to even the Western Conference Finals series against the Anaheim Ducks at 2-2 with a 5-4 double overtime win in Chicago. The series now switches to Anaheim, where the Ducks have been dominant all postseason long.
Can home ice allow the Ducks to take a commanding 3-2 series lead? Or will the Blackhawks take a crucial victory on the road for a chance to close out the series at home? Read on for a preview of Game 5 of this spectacular conference final series.
It’s do or die for the New York Rangers on the road in the East. Check out our complete preview for the Rangers vs. Lightning Game 6. The Lightning lead the series 3-2.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 5 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 4 at Chicago Blackhawks 5 (2OT)
Game 5 – May 25, 9:00 PM ET – Chicago Blackhawks (+120) at Anaheim Ducks (-140); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
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 Chicago Blackhawks
After being left out of the lineup in Game 3, Antoine Vermette made the biggest impact Saturday night with a game-winning wrister in double overtime. Patrick Sharp and Teuvo Teravainen, who was also left out of the lineup in Game 3, assisted in the goal.
[sc:NHL240 ]Unlike in the previous game, the Blackhawks’ stars came out to spark the team’s offense. Jonathan Toews had a goal and an assist; Brent Seabrook and Patrick Kane also scored; Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith each had an assist. But the biggest impact came from Brandon Saad, who had three points (a goal and two assists).
Chicago can’t pin all their hopes on Kane, who leads the team with nine goals and 15 points this postseason. Thus, having the first line of Saad, Toews and Hossa scoring points is crucial for the Blackhawks to keep up with Anaheim’s blistering offense (3.62 goals per game, the best in the playoffs). Toews in particular has been amazing in the playoffs. He can set up his teammates (nine assists) or convert his own shots (five goals) this postseason. Meanwhile, Saad promises to be just as effective after his three-point performance in Game 4.
Having the offense clicking on the road is vital since Corey Crawford hasn’t been as dominant in this series as in the conference semifinal. He is 2-2 with a 2.75 GAA against the Ducks compared to 4-0 with a 1.75 GAA against the Wild.
Crawford hasn’t been too impressive on the road the entire postseason with a .916 save percentage. But the Blackhawks can take heart in his stellar outing at Anaheim in Game 2, setting a career-high 60 saves on 62 shots. Expect him to be solid between the pipes.
Chicago has won three of its last four playoff road games.
The Anaheim Ducks were oh so close to a 3-1 series lead heading into Game 5. Down 3-1 in the third period, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry and Matt Beleskey scored for the Ducks in a 37-second stretch in the third period. Emserson Etem scored the Ducks’ first goal in the second period.
But Frederik Andersen failed to continue his solid performances in the first three games. The Ducks goalie allowed five goals on 40 shots (.875 save percentage), the most he’s allowed in this year’s playoffs. Andersen is due for a bounce back game at home. He’s been stellar at Honda Center going 6-1 with a 1.25 GAA and .954 save percentage in seven home games this postseason.
Anaheim’s leading scorer, Perry (nine goals), has been relatively quiet with just two goals in the conference final. But he could break out for a multi-point performance in Game 5 at home. He’s played extremely well at Honda Center with six goals and six assists in seven games this postseason.
Lining up with Ryan Getzlaf would make Perry even more dangerous. Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 15 assists this postseason. 12 of those assists came in seven games at Honda Center. Having the Ducks’ dynamic duo clicking is important if they want to take a series lead to Chicago. The Ducks have outscored their opponents by 10 combined with Perry and Getzlaf on the ice.
The Ducks have won six of their seven games on home ice this postseason.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ducks (-140) take a 4-3 victory for a commanding 3-2 series lead.
