Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Game 3 Preview
Where: Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, Tennesssee
When: Monday, April 17, 2017, 9:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Blackhawks (-115) at Nashville Predators (-105); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: CNBC
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Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks (+1.5)
It’s quickly turning into desperation time for the Chicago Blackhawks. The six-time Stanley Cup champs have been shut out in consecutive playoff games for the first time since 2002 as they’ve fallen into a 2-0 hole for the fourth time in the Joel Quenneville era.
They successfully came back to win the series in the most recent instance of facing a 2-0 deficit against the St. Louis Blues in 2014. However, this time will be a bit different. They dropped the first two games at home, which is not a good sign. The last 15 teams to do so have gone on to lose the series.
But despite losing six straight games dating back to the end of the regular season, don’t count the Blackhawks out just yet. Chicago had the best road record in the Western Conference this season with 24 wins. That includes two wins out of three at Nashville this season. Patrick Kane picked up three goals and an assist in those three games.
Kane and Toews have now combined for just one goal in their last nine playoff games dating back to their seven-game first-round loss against the St. Louis Blues last season. But you’ve got to imagine that players of their talent and experience will eventually show their class.
Betting on the Nashville Predators (-1.5)
Who saw the Predators taking a 2-0 advantage against the Blackhawks heading back home to Nashville without conceding even a single goal? Probably no one. But that’s the situation they find themselves in heading into Game 3.
Preds goalie Pekka Rinne has been spectacular in the series thus far, stopping all 59 shots the Blackhawks have thrown at him. He’s set to go back home, where he’s had a lot of success this season. He went 21-6-5 in 34 home starts, with a 2.23 GAA and .920 save percentage. The Preds have gone 12-3 in Rinne’s last 15 home starts.
The Preds lost two of their last three home games as they let up near the end of the regular season with their playoff spot secure. But prior to that stretch, they went 9-3 in their previous 12 home games, and averaged 4.4 goals.
Ryan Johansen has been terrific for the Preds in these playoffs. He has a team-high four points, with three coming in their big 5-0 Game 2 win. Johansen had four points (a goal and three assists) in two home games against the Blackhawks this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blackhawks (-115) finally break their goal drought as they get a crucial Game 3 win, 3-2.
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