Chicago Blackhawks at Minnesota Wild Free NHL Picks & Odds
by Tony Sink - 5/8/2014
Game 4, Friday, May 9, 9:30 PM on NBCS, TSN, RDS
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here
In Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals, the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks played a tightly-fought, defensive game for the first two periods, but the Wild were able to break out for four goals in the third to win the game 4-0. The two teams go into their game on Friday night with the Blackhawks up 2-1 in the series.
It was ugly at times and there was great defense at other times during the first two periods, but neither team could find the back of the net. The Wild continued to look a bit slower than usual, but then Erik Haula scored 1:41 into the final period to give Minnesota 1-0 lead. That was followed by Mikael Granlund's tally less than three minutes later to give them a two-goal lead. Zach Parise scored his fourth goal of the series 17 minutes into the period on the power play to make it 3-0, then Granlund sealed the win with his second of the game and fourth of the playoffs.
Parise finished with a goal and an assist with a goal and an assist for the Wild in the win, while right wing Jason Pominville had two assists for the hosts. Ilya Bryzgalov stopped all 19 of the Blackhawks' shots to get his first shutout in this year's playoffs.
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford had one of his worst games fo the playoffs so far, stopping just 14 of the 17 shots he faced for an .824 save percentage.
ATS Trends
Chicago is 19-22 straight up on the road this season
Chicago is 21-20-0 against the over/under on the road this season
Minnesota is 26-14 straight up at home this season
Minnesota is 14-18-9 against the over/under at home this season
Injuries to Watch
Chicago
11/16/13 GO Nikolai Khabibulin Rotator Cuff out 4-5 months
11/05/13 C Brad Mills Ankle out indefinitely
05/06/14 C Andrew Shaw Lower Body questioanble Friday vs. Minnesota
Minnesota
05/06/14 GO Darcy Kuemper Concussion questionable Friday vs. Chicago
05/06/14 LW Matt Cooke Suspension Served probable Friday vs. Chicago
03/12/14 LW Jason Zucker Quad out for season
03/05/14 GO Niklas Backstrom Abdominal out for season
01/06/14 GO Josh Harding Illness out indefinitely
Tony's Pick: Take Chicago
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