The Los Angeles Kings are a win away from completely avenging their loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in last season’s Western Conference semifinals after handing the defending champions a 5-2 defeat in Game 4 to gain a 3-1 series lead. Can the Kings send Chicago, which was the majority pick of to represent the west in the Stanley Cup Finals in our experts’ picks and predictions article, out of contention? Or will the Blackhawks force another game?
Create a betting account now to get into the hockey action this week and read on for more on a big time Game 5 in Chicago.
[sc:NHLArticles ]Los Angeles Kings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Western Conference Finals, Game 5 Preview
Game 1 –May 18, Los Angeles 1 at Chicago 3
Game 2 – May 21, Los Angeles 6 at Chicago 2
Game 3 – May 24, Chicago 3 at Los Angeles 4
Game 4 – May 26, Chicago 2 at Los Angeles 5
Game 5 – May 28, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles (+120) at Chicago (-140); total 5.0 – view all NHL lines
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 30, 9:00 PM ET, Chicago at Los Angeles
Game 7 (if necessary) – June 1, 8:00 PM ET, Los Angeles at Chicago
Betting on the Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings’ top line, consisting of Marian Gaborik, Anze Kopitar, and Dustin Brown, are off the schneid at last. After three games without a goal and just one assist, the trio snapped out of their slump in Game 4 as Gaborik and Brown scored their first goals of the series, while Kopitar tallied two assists.
Kopitar, the Kings’ leading scorer in the regular season with 29 goals, still only has a goal to show since the second round of the Playoffs, but helping his linemates deliver a critical element of the offense is key for Los Angeles.
[sc:NHL240 ]The Kings’ offense is intimidating regardless of location, and that claim is backed by their 35 road goals in 10 road games. In Game 2 of the series at Chicago, Los Angeles scored six times, three of which came off Jeff Carter’s stick. With the top line starting to play well, Carter (or the second line) may not carry as heavy of a burden on offense as it had in Games 1 to 3.
The Kings are 6-2 in their last eight road games, and the over is 3-1 in their last four games away from Staples Center.
Betting on the Chicago Blackhawks
Now on the brink of elimination, the Blackhawks aim to extend the series at home, where they are 11-1 in their last 12 games.
Corey Crawford started the series strong, stopping 25 of the Kings’ 26 shots in Chicago’s 3-1 win in the series opener. After that, Crawford’s performance has gone south, and his poor showing in the last three games has clearly taken a toll on the Blackhawks.
Crawford has allowed a grand total of 15 goals to the Kings since Game 2. In Game 4, he surrendered three in the opening period, a deficit that proved to be too big for the Blackhawks to overcome.
Even more alarming for the Blackhawks’ defense is their sagging penalty kill. After the Kings went 2-for-3 on the man advantage in Game 4, Chicago has now allowed five power play goals to Los Angeles in the series on 12 attempts. The Blackhawks’ 91.7% penalty kill prior to the series is now down to 84.5%.
The Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last seven home games against Los Angeles.
Writer’s Prediction
The Blackhawks will not be ousted at home, where they have been near unbeatable in these Playoffs. Take Chicago to win straight up (-140) and for the game to go under.
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