The Tampa Bay Lightning (64-34-3-5) came all too close to tying Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. In the end, they didn't get the job done, but they’ve certainly continued to prove that they are game against the Chicago Blackhawks (62-34-4-3) in any situation.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Lightning are back at home, and as a result, they are going to once again become the favorites to win this duel. They were approximately -135 favorites in both of their home games to start this series, and we expect a similar betting line in this one as well.
The real question in our mind is the total, which has hovered between 5 and 5.5 throughout this series. Game 4's three goals marked the second time in this series that the final score was 2-1, making under bettors a solid 3-1 to show for their work in the series.
GOALIE REPORT
Ben Bishop didn't play in Game 4 with that now infamous undisclosed injury, which gave Andrei Vasilevskiy the opportunity to start in a Stanley Cup Finals game for the first time in his career.
To his credit, Vasilevskiy didn't do all that poorly, allowing just two goals, but it should be noted that he only faced 19 shots over the course of the game.
With a couple days off to prepare for this one, there could be a chance for Bishop to come back and play again, though obviously, we still have no idea as of the publishing of this article on Wednesday night.
Corey Crawford really stood tall when he needed to at the end of Game 4. It was absolutely imperative for Chicago to win that game, and it got the job done with flying colors. Crawford's stats don't suggest that he was dominant, as he stopped just 24-of-25 shots, but that was just barely good enough to eke out a vital win.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"Not too many athletes at any age we work with have his focus. He has a daily mental checklist he never strays from. He does the things he knows will make him successful every day. There is no ceiling on him." – Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper on his young goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, who started his first ever Stanley Cup Finals game on Wednesday night
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Neither one of these teams scored a goal on the power play in Game 4, but what was most interesting to us was the flow which the penalties took place. It felt like every time one team got the man advantage, it was quickly penalized again, especially in the first period.
It really took away from the ebb and flow of the game, and it created a lot of chances for both teams in the process. Neither took advantage, but this could be something to watch for in Game 5.
PROP TALK
Steven Stamkos picked up an assist on the only Tampa goal in Game 4, and that could really get him started. He’s gone five games without a goal and had gone four without a point before Game 4, but now that he has the taste of being on a scoring line, this could be the start of something really good for him over the course of these last few games of the season.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
Back and forth we go. Tampa Bay, for our money, has been the ever so slightly better of these two teams, and we think that it should be favored by a healthier margin than it is going to be in Game 5.
We're splitting hairs at this point, but regardless as to whether it is the Russian or Bishop in the net, if Tampa Bay's defense plays as well as it did on Wednesday night, the hosts should be the ones to move within one step of a championship.
Tampa Bay 3, Chicago 1
BookMaker will open the odds for this Saturday game before anyone else on the internet. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly interface on your smartphone or tablet provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! Game 5 of the series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
