The St. Louis Blues have the defending Stanley Cup champions on the ropes. After three very closely-contested games, the Blues own a 2-1 advantage over the Chicago Blackhawks. With home-ice advantage now regained thanks to a big Game 3 road win, the Blues have a big chance to take a commanding 3-1 lead before the series returns to St. Louis.
Get a full breakdown of this pivotal Game 4 with our preview below. Meanwhile, check out more Stanley Cup Playoffs action with our preview of the Rangers vs. Penguins Game 3.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues Game 4 Preview
Where: United Center, Chicago
When: Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 9:30 PM ET
Line: Chicago Blackhawks (-160) vs. St. Louis Blues (+140); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: NBCSN
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks may be down 2-1 in the series, but they’re hardly being outplayed by the Blues. Goalie Corey Crawford, in particular, has been very good in the first three games, giving up just six goals with a .929 save percentage.
With all the chances they’ve been able to create, you’d have to think their luck in front of goal is bound to turn at some point. Hart Trophy winner Patrick Kane has three points in the last two games, but will be eager to get on the score sheet for the first time to make up for his costly penalty which led to the decisive goal in Game 3.
Chicago will be disappointed to surrender a 2-1 lead in the third period, but that was an isolated incident. Since the start of last season, the Blackhawks were 70-0-4 when leading at the start of the third.
The Blackhawks, who went 26-11-4 at home during the regular season, will be desperate not to drop both games at home and face elimination on the road, so look for them to come out with a bit more sense of urgency in Game 4.
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Betting on the St. Louis Blues
Through three games, the undoubted postseason MVP of the St. Louis Blues has to be Brian Elliott. The 31-year-old netminder has been spectacular between the sticks, saving 105 of the 109 shots he’s faced during the series. Extending to his last five starts against Chicago, Elliott now has a terrific .956 save percentage.
Elliott is coming off a postseason career-high 44 saves in Game 3, outdueling his opposite number Corey Crawford. He held off the Blackhawks just long enough for the Blues to stage a terrific third period comeback on the road.
The Blues are hardly an offensive juggernaut. They averaged just 2.67 goals per game in scoring (15th in the NHL) during the regular season. But Vladimir Tarasenko and David Backes are fully capable of coming up with the big goals.
And with Elliott in spectacular form, the Blues have every chance of snatching another squeaker in Chicago. St. Louis is 4-1 in its last five games against the Blackhawks, all by a one-goal margin.
Elliott and the Blues have simply been spectacular on the road. St. Louis has won its last six road games and is 14-3-0 in its last 17 away from home. Elliott has started eight of those road games – all wins – and has given up over three goals just once during that span.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blackhawks finally break through offensively and tie the series up with a 4-2 win.
