Saturday's Best NHL Bet
Philadelphia Flyers at Chicago Blackhawks (-200, 5.5)
Even the most seasoned veteran is holding his stick a little tight when it comes to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.
Hockey bettors can expect a sloppy first period when the Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks open their showdown for Lord Stanley’s Cup at the United Center Saturday.
The city of Chicago is buzzing with excitement, putting a Blackhawks helmet on the lion statues outside the Chicago Art Institute as well giving the Michael Jordan statue outside the United Center the Blackhawks makeover, including helmet, jersey and skates. The pressure is definitely on a young Chicago team to give the Windy City its first Stanley Cup since 1961.
“It would be nice to end one of the longest droughts in sports history,” Patrick Kane told the Globe and Mail. “It’s been a long time coming for the fans.
“The city is on fire right now.”
The Blackhawks haven’t performed well at home during the postseason, going just 5-3 inside the United Center and needing overtime in two of those home victories. Chicago averages 2.6 goals per game at home in the playoffs (outscored 23-21 as hosts) but scores four goals a night inside opposing barns.
With the pressure to perform peaking and those home-ice woes, the Blackhawks will be dealt a rude awakening from a veteran-laden Flyers club with nothing to lose.
Pick: Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
The Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at the United Center in the opening game of the Stanley Cup final.
Mike Richards had a goal and two assists as the Flyers downed the Canadiens 4-2 to win the Eastern Conference final in five games on Monday night.
Philadelphia cashed as -200 home favorites in that contest, while the teams played OVER the 5-goal total set by oddsmakers.
The Blackhawks defeated San Jose 4-2 as a -170 favorite last Sunday to win the Western Conference final. The six goals scored went OVER the posted over/under total (5.5).
Dustin Byfuglien scored the game-winning goal for Chicago in that game, and Antti Niemi made 16 saves on the day.
Team records:
Philadelphia: 41-35-6
Chicago: 52-22-8
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4-1
Before playing Tampa Bay are 7-3
After playing Montreal are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing San Jose are 7-3
After a win are 8-2
A few trends to consider:
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Philadelphia is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Chicago
Philadelphia is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
Chicago is 2-5-1 SU in its last 8 games ,when playing at home against Philadelphia
Chicago is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Next up:
Chicago home to Philadelphia, Monday, May 31
PHILADELPHIA (53-39-0-7, 113 pts.) at CHICAGO (64-26-0-8, 136 pts.)
Top Trends for this game.
CHICAGO is 64-33 ATS (+18.4 Units) in all games this season.
CHICAGO is 31-13 ATS (+10.4 Units) after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous game this season.
CHICAGO is 37-16 ATS (+11.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
CHICAGO is 43-26 ATS (+13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record in the second half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
PHILADELPHIA is 1-1 (+0.0 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 1-1-0 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
2 of 2 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.2 Units)
PHILADELPHIA vs. CHICAGO
Philadelphia is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 6 games
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Chicago is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
PHILADELPHIA AT CHICAGO
PHILADELPHIA: 8-1 Over playing with 3+ days rest
CHICAGO: 17-3 SU off a home win scoring 4+ goals
Stanley Cup Finals
Flyers haven't won Stanley Cup since I was in 10th grade ('75), Chicago since '61, so emotions will run high, especially since teams are rested for this. Blackhawks won eight of last nine games since losing in opener of Vancouver series; they're just 5-3 at home in playoffs. Philly won seven of last eight games; they're 4-4 on road in playoffs. Flyers are in Finals after not even making playoffs until last day of regular season. Chicago lost first game in two of three playoff series this spring; Flyers won first game in two of their three series.