Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Stanley Cup Finals - Game 4

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The Chicago Blackhawks take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals at the United Center in Chicago. The Lightning took the series lead at 2-1 after earning home ice advantage back. The opening line has Chicago at -160 and Tampa Bay at +140. The over/under has been set at 5.5 in this pivotal Game 4.

Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane are still looking to get on track in this series as they've combined for just one point in the three games played so far. They've seen a steady dose of Tampa Bay's top defensive pair of Anton Stralman and Victor Hedman. This has worked well for the Lightning so far this series and has them out 2-1 on the Blackhawks.

For the fourth straight game, the Lightning got the first goal of the game as Ryan Callahan put one over Corey Crawford's left shoulder assisted by Hedman and J.T. Brown. The stretch pass from Hedman put Callahan in perfect position to start the game off right for the Lightning. Fast forward to just about five minutes left in the first period, Brad Richards scored a power play goal after Braydon Coburn was called for hooking for his third goal of these playoffs. The assist was given to Marian Hossa and Andrew Shaw.

There was no scoring in the second period. However, by the end of the period it felt as if Chicago had stolen the momentum as they held Tampa Bay without a goal after Bryan Bickell was put in the penalty box for roughing and Brandon Saad was put in there for goalkeeper interference. This left a 5-on-3 situation where the Blackhawks survived and in turn, got the crowd fired up again.

The momentum of the second carried over into the third period as Saad scored at the 4:14 mark assisted by Hossa and Duncan Keith. It didn't last long as Ondrej Palat scored a goal of his own just over 10 seconds later to tie the game back up at 2 goals each.

In the third period, Cedric Paquette put the game out of reach as he scored at the 16:49 mark off an assist from Hedman and Callahan. This game put the Lightning up 2-1 in the series and took back home ice.

On the night, the Blackhawks got six more shots on goal for the night with 38 while the Lightning ended with 32 shots on goal. Both goalkeepers have played well in the series but it's going to take the goal keeper that can make the biggest plays in the most clutch moments that will help their team to hoist the cup over their head.

The Lightning are 4-0 in their last 4 road games and 4-0 in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. They are 4-1 in their last 5 Stanley Cup Finals games and 8-3 in their last 11 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game. The over is 4-0 in the Lightning last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game and 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.

The Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game and 87-36 in their last 123 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games playing on 1 days rest and 93-42 in their last 135 home games. The over is 6-0-2 in the Blackhawks last 8 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game and 6-1-3 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Head to head, the under is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago and 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. The Lightning are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends

Chicago Blackhawks are 61-41-0 Against the Spread

Chicago Blackhawks are 38-49-0 against the Over/Under

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Lightning are 64-41-0 Against the Spread

Tampa Bay Lightning are 53-47-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Chicago Blackhawks

05/08/15 D Michal Rozsival Ankle out for season

Tampa Bay Lightning

10/06/14 D Mattias Ohlund Knee out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago

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