| 2009 NHL Playoffs Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames |
|
|
|
| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
|
Thursday, 16 April 2009
|
|||||||
 The No.4 seed Chicago Blackhawks are back in the playoffs after a seven year absence and they’ll be hosting the No.5 seed Calgary Flames, tonight April 16, in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Blackhawks lead the Flames 4-0 this season. NHL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Blackhawks as -160 moneyline favs over the Flames (+140) with the over/under posted at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoff Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames Predictions in now at Sportsbook.comThe Flames went down in flames towards the end of the regular season, losing top spot in the Northwest standings after building a 13pt lead. Goalie Miikka Kiprusoff won 45 games this season and had a 2.84 GAA, but was outscored by the Hawks 7-19. Miikka Kiprusoff has won just four of his last ten starts for a 2.90 GAA. The Flames added center Olli Jokinen and defenseman Jordan Leopold since the teams last met. They will be healthier with the return of left wing Rene Bourqe and All-Star defenseman Dion Phaneuf from injuries. The Flames are 19-20-2-0 on the road where they average 2.56 GAG and give up an average 3.37 GAG. They are 1-4 in their last five road games where they’ve averaged .80 GAG and given up an average 3.80 GAG. Dealing with Chicago's speed will be a challenge for the Flames, who will also need to turn up their power play if they hope to steal one of the first two games Chicago. Over the final 10 games, Calgary was 0-for-43 on the power play. Flames star Jarome Iginla has 89 points with 54 assists, while Mike Cammalleri leads with 39 goals. The Blackhawks have turned their club around with some young talented players who managed to get their team into the big dance. The Blackhawks swept the Flames in four meetings during the regular season, winning by a combined 19-7 score. But the teams haven't played since early February. The less experienced Blackhawks closed with a rush, going 6-0-1 in their final seven games of a turnaround season that featured the scoring of Martin Havlat and 20-year-old captain Jonathan Toews and the solid goaltending of veteran Nikolai Khabibulin. Khabibulin has a career 22-5-2 regular-season record against the Flames and also was in goal when Tampa Bay beat Calgary to win the Stanley Cup in 2004. Khabibulin has won eight of his last ten starts for a 2.00 GAA. The Blackhawks are 24-9-3-5 at home where they average 3.37 GAG and give up an average 2.44 GAG. They are 3-2 in their last five home games where they’ve averaged 2.40 GAG and given up an average 2.00 GAG. Patrick Sharp should be ready to play tonight after missing the final five games with what appears to be a knee injury. Sharp scored 26 goals this season, third most on the team behind Jonathan Toews (34) and Martin Havlat (29). Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NHL Playoffs Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames When: Thurs, April 16, 2009 8:30 PM ET Line: Sportsbook.com Pick: Blackhawks -160 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames The Bottom Line: The Hawks have the speed and skill to get past the Flames who are lacking in the goaltending department. Go Hawks! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoff Chicago Blackhawks vs Calgary Flames Predictions in now at Sportsbook.com and receive a 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit!                        |
|||||||