The Blackhawks are no strangers to this situation, having played in the conference final four times in the last six years and winning the Stanley Cup both times they advanced. Chicago looks to reverse its fortunes from last season when they dropped Game 7 at home in overtime to Los Angeles. The Ducks are searching for their third Stanley Cup Final berth and first since winning the crown in 2007.
ODDS ANALYSIS
For the third straight game the teams cashed over wagers thanks to Chicago’s 5-2 win in Game 6 on Wednesday. The winning team has scored five goals – the scoreline in each game – in each of the last three. The first two games resulted in pushes while Game 3 was the lone contest to play below the total.
There’s always more pressure in a winner-take-all Game 7 with a trip to the Stanley Cup Final on the line, but don’t expect these teams to waver from what they’ve done all season and in the playoffs. Both clubs have versatile defensemen who jump into the play and the goaltending has been shaky, so we can look for a few gifts to help push the total.
The Ducks are pegged as the favorite simply because they’re on home-ice but it’s hard not to like the ‘Hawks, given their recent experience in these situations.
GOALIE REPORT
Both goalies have been erratic in the series and neither is brimming with confidence right now, but going off results from Game 6, Chicago’s Corey Crawford would have the edge. After allowing the game-winner early in overtime in Game 5, Crawford responded with a 30-save effort facing elimination on Wednesday.
It was just the opposite for Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen, who allowed four goals on 22 shots and put the Ducks behind the eight-ball giving up three in a span of 3:45 midway through the second period.
Andersen has been good in the postseason with a 2.18 GAA but you wonder how the enormity of playing in his first Game 7 will weigh on him. Crawford, on the other hand, has been in this situation and won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks just two seasons ago.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I can’t feel it quite frankly. I’ve asked people, ‘Is this a good series? Is it entertaining?’ You’re caught up in the moment of winning and losing. People say it’s unbelievable, but we look at it as a little different right now. It might be something you appreciate one way or another in six months or in the future.” – Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau
SITUATIONAL BETTING
Special teams will play a huge role in determining the winner of this game. Both teams have talented stars to roll out in man-advantage situations and the Ducks have scored over a quarter of the time they have a power-play, while Chicago has allowed 11 power-play goals. It would be wise for the Blackhawks to stay out of the box.
However, Chicago isn’t always on the defensive when short-handed. The ‘Hawks have a postseason-high three shorthanded tallies and are always looking for a breakout when down a man, putting pressure on the opposing team forcing them to think less about offensive attacks.
Though not in the books as power-play goals, think back to Game 5 when the ‘Hawks netted a pair of late goals with Corey Crawford out of the net to tie that game sending it into overtime. And Chicago put away Game 6 with an empty-netter.
PROP TALK
As always seems to be case a relative unknown makes his mark by becoming the hero in a Game 7 and don’t expect anything different in this one.
Anaheim’s Patrick Maroon is quickly making a name for himself in the postseason. The burly right-winger tallied just nine goals during the regular season but has scored seven times in 15 playoff games with three of those coming in this series, including one in each of the last two games. Maroon has had plenty of opportunities to score as well
Maroon has used his size in front of the net to snatch up rebounds and deflect point shots. He gets the ‘ugly’ goals and those are the ones that win Game 7s.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
If this was a best-of-11 series it would be tied at five games apiece, that’s how closely matched these teams are. They´ve stored victories for six straight games, playing six overtime periods and four one-goal games. Flip a coin to determine the winner.
Both teams have advantages in Game 7; Anaheim gets the game on home ice while the ‘Hawks are the more experienced team in these situations and still have the sour taste of losing the conference final in a seventh game last season.
It’s hard to go against the veteran group of Blackhawks, who’ve been here before, but Anaheim’s deep, balanced lineup has served them well all season. Don’t be surprised to see another overtime game with the Ducks advancing to their third Stanley Cup Final, but as anyone who watches hockey knows, anything can happen in a Game 7
Anaheim 4, Chicago 3
The NHL lines for this Saturday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Minute-by-minute puck-lines, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! Game 7 of this series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks will commence on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET at Honda Center. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
