The defending champs were really on the ropes on Thursday night. The Chicago Blackhawks could've easily folded after blowing a 3-1 third period lead, but instead, they hung on to force overtime, withstood some pressure at the beginning of the first OT period and ultimately won it in the second extra frame.
That said, it's tough to say that the Blackhawks are still anything but on life support. They're in a 3-2 series hole as they head back home, and the St. Louis Blues have already won two games in this series at the United Center. If they get a third on Saturday night, they'll be in the second round of the playoffs.
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ODDS ANALYSIS
The one thing the Hawks have going for them is the fact that they're going to be favored in this matchup. The margin won't be huge, but by playoff standards, if they're giving around -150 as we figure will be the case, that's enormous. Keep in mind that all five of these games have been decided by just one goal, and this is the only series to date which has sent two games into overtime.
The total will once again surely be set at a flat 5, though that number could creep up just a bit after a second straight game between these two featuring seven goals.
GOALIE REPORT
Brian Elliott had probably his worst game of this series in Game 5, but it's not like he did a heck of a lot wrong. His defenders weren't up to snuff in the first two periods of play, and a phenomenal play by Patrick Kane is the only reason that game was decided when it was in double OT.
As it is, Elliott is sitting with a 2.00 GAA and a .941 save percentage, and for a man who hadn't even stopped 89 percent of his shots faced in his postseason career coming into this series, that's a heck of an accomplishment.
Corey Crawford might've allowed three goals in the win on Thursday night, but he earned that victory nonetheless. Yes, the 2.37 GAA through five games is nothing special, nor is a .914 save percentage, but Crawford knows how to grit through games this time of year, and he's doing just that in spite of his iffy numbers.
LIVE BETTING
The Blackhawks have gotten to Elliott in this series when they've created traffic in front of the net and have started plays out at the point. Kane scored the game-winner in Game 5 by taking advantage of a slew of bodies out front.
Duncan Keith has three goals from the point already in just four games played against the Blues, and Brent Seabrook has added one as well.
Even though the Blues have great shot-blocking defensemen, it takes a really tough team to slow down the Chicago offense when it's humming and is getting contributions from its blue-liners.
QUICK PICK
It's not often that you have a really public team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the Hawks are sure to be that way. They've got their hands full, though. St. Louis has the hotter goalie and a team which has already had eight different goal-scorers.
The Blues will have no fear in spite of the fact that the pressure is back on their shoulders. No one will give them a chance, knowing that they've already won twice in the Windy City, but we think they're different this year. All these years of struggling to put away opponents will come to a head on Saturday night when the whole world will get to watch the youngsters like David Backes and Vladimir Tarasenko grow up and become world beaters.
NHL Odds: Blues 2, Blackhawks 1
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The matchup between the St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Blackhawks will start at 8:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 24, 2016 at the United Center. Game 6 of this series will be televised nationally on NBC.
