Sporting fans are in for a treat, as the NHL prepares for another do-or-die match in the hotly contested Western Conference Finals. We head back to the Honda Center in Anaheim for Game 7 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks, as the quest for the Stanley Cup continues.
Game 6 saw another solid effort from the battle-tested Blackhawks who won 5-2 in Game 6 behind a strong performance by Duncan Keith. Anaheim, meanwhile, is suddenly facing another deciding game in the playoffs. Can the Ducks redeem themselves after failing to close out the series? Or will Chicago be able to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals by winning another tough game on the road?
There’s another Game 7 over at the Eastern Conference that’s set to take center ice. Head on over here for our preview of the final meeting between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New York Rangers.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 7 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 – Anaheim Ducks 4 at Chicago Blackhawks 5 (2OT)
Game 5 – Chicago Blackhawks 4 at Anaheim Ducks 5 (OT)
Game 6 – Anaheim Ducks 2 at Chicago Blackhawks 5
Game 7* – May 30, 8:00 PM ET – Chicago Blackhawks (+115) at Anaheim Ducks (-135); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
*If necessary
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks didn’t need to take the game to overtime to beat the Ducks this time around. Facing elimination, the Chicago Blackhawks jumped on the Ducks with three goals in the second period in a span of less than four minutes.
[sc:NHL240 ]Duncan Keith was credited with an assist for each of those three goals. The two-time Norris Trophy winner was once again relentless, as he played 28½ minutes in Game 6. Keith currently leads all players for most minutes played in this postseason, and Chicago certainly benefits a whole lot from his presence on the ice.
Patrick Kane came up with one of the Blackhawks’ three goals from the second quarter. He has now scored at least one goal in the past six games at the United Center. He leads his team in points this postseason with 17, and would need to put on another stellar performance in Game 7. Kane has two goals in his past five games played in Anaheim.
And after surrendering nine goals in Games 4 and 5, Corey Crawford got back on track this Wednesday by allowing just two goals and hauling in 30 saves. Expect him to remain the starting goaltender for the Blackhawks over rookie Scott Darling. Crawford is allowing 2½ goals per game in games played in Anaheim this season, with a save percentage of .918.
Look forward to the Blackhawks giving it all they got on Saturday, as they certainly do not want to face the same heartbreaking end to their season like with what happened in the previous year. The Blackhawks lost to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime of Game 7 from last season’s Western Conference Finals.
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Betting on the Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks just squandered a great opportunity to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals, and it could not have come at a worse time. Game 6 was the first game than Anaheim lost in regulation in this postseason. Now, the Ducks are in another Game 7 situation in the playoffs, and recent history would indicate that the chances of the Ducks quacking their way to the Finals are not good.
For the third straight postseason, Anaheim blew a 3-2 series lead to force a Game 7. The Ducks lost both of those other deciding games: last year against the Los Angeles Kings in the second round, and in the opening round against the Detroit Red Wings back in 2013.
Part of the problem is that Frederik Andersen’s game has been off lately. Andersen had surrendered 14 goals in the past three games against the Blackhawks, whereas he only gave up four goals through the first three games of the series. He should fare much better back at the Honda Center, where he’s 11-3 with a .925 save average this postseason.
If there’s a trend that the Ducks should take advantage of, is that they must be able to score first. In this series against Chicago, the winner of each game was the team that was first to net a goal. Game 6 was no different, as the Blackhawks blitzed the Ducks with three quick scores.
But the Ducks shouldn’t be bothered as much by not being able to score early, as they seem to find ways to score in the clutch. Anaheim is outscoring Chicago 32-10 in the third period in this series. Ryan Getzlaf needs to start shooting the puck more for the Ducks. He leads the postseason with 17 assists, but hasn’t had a goal since Game 1 of the quarterfinals against the Calgary Flames.
Writer’s Prediction
Anaheim (-135) finally wins a crucial Game 7 with a 4-2 win over Chicago to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
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