Here is our betting preview:
No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 4 Boston Bruins
Series prices: Blackhawks -145, Bruins +125
Blackhawks' playoff betting numbers: 12-5 SU, 5-7-5 over/under
Bruins' playoff betting numbers: 12-4 SU, 7-7-2 over/under
Why bet the Blackhawks:
Chicago is the betting favorite for a reason. The Blackhawks won the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best team; they finished 15 points ahead of Boston. Chicago’s penalty kill has been lights out in the playoffs, killing off 94.8 percent of the opposition’s power plays. That is over seven percent higher than their season average (87.2 percent). Additionally, the Bruins are struggling with the man advantage. Boston failed to score a power play goal in its sweep of Pittsburgh. The Blackhawks will enjoy home advantage in the final round. Chicago is 9-1 at home and is averaging 3.30 goals per game, while allowing only 1.7. Goaltender Corey Crawford is 12-5-1 with a playoff-best 1.74 GAA.
Why bet the Bruins:
The Bruins have been on a tear since getting a scare from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round. Boston has won nine of its last 10 and has a ton of confidence after sweeping the high-powered Penguins. The Bruins have a deep, talented group of forwards. Nine of Boston’s 13 forwards have scored a goal in the playoffs and 10 have three or more points. Center David Krejci leads all scorers in the playoffs with 21 points in 16 games. The Bruins are getting an even better effort from their defensemen. Boston is allowing 1.33 goals per game over its last nine games and has received a contribution of 15 goals from the back end this postseason. Goaltender Tuukka Rask stopped 134 of 136 shots for an incredible .985 save percentage against Pittsburgh. He has a 12-4 record, 1.75 GAA and .948 save percentage in the postseason and could be a strong candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy if Boston should go all the way. The Bruins won’t have home advantage in this series but it might not matter. Boston is 5-1-1 on the road in the postseason, averaging 3.43 goals per game, while allowing just 1.86.