The Detroit Red Wings won Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, 5-2 at home, in dominating fashion as the Chicago Blackhawks look to even the score tonight, May 19 in Game 2. Detroit leads Chicago 5-2 overall this season. NHL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Red Wings as -200 moneyline favs over the Blackhawks (+170) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com
The Blackhawks managed to get out of the first period with a 1-1 tie, in the second Detroit went up 2-1, then in the third it was all Detroit winning 5-2. After the game Patrick Kane glanced at the scoresheet and noticed he was one of three Chicago Blackhawks held without a shot by the Red Wings. The Wings are the best team in the NHL at blocking shots and they have the best defense to boot. The reigning NHL Rookie of the Year, Patrick Kane, scored eight goals over the first two rounds against Calgary and Vancouver, but quickly found out his crafty moves and soft hands can be negated by Detroit. He had three games all season where he hadn’t had a shot on net. But it isn’t going to get any easier for the Hawks. During the Stanley Cup finals last year, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby was held without a point in the first two games of the series and scored in just one of the six games while teammate Evgeni Malkin went four games without a point and scored only in the finale. All thanks to Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg who was named MVP of the playoffs. During their six regular season meetings the Hawks won their final two meetings against the Wings outscoring them 7-2.
The Red Wings have been to the finals before and they know exactly what it takes to win the cup. Block shots, suffocate their best players, get as many shots on net and get good goaltending. They shut down the Hawks top scorers Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. When Kane has the puck, he has to deal with six-time Norris Trophy winning defenseman Nick Lidstrom in his face and a slew of backchecking forwards. "Every time I got the puck, it seemed like two or three guys were collapsing on me," Kane said. Jonathan Toews knows the feeling. The Blackhawks' other young star also discovered playing the Flames or Canucks isn't quite like facing Detroit as he was held to three shots and no points in the series opener. "It's a different game now," said Toews, who contributed a combined 10 points in the first two rounds. "Everything is a little tighter. "We didn't play well enough against their best players. But we can play looser because it's not going to get worse than that." Their offense is still winning regardless of poor showings by Datsyuk, Hossa and Holmstrom. Datsyuk, an MVP finalist, hasn't scored in the last 10 games of the playoffs. Hossa, who had a team-high 40 goals in the regular season, has scored in just two of 12 games this postseason. Holmstrom hasn't contributed a point in the eight games since he had two goals and two assists in the first-round sweep against Columbus. "As long as we're winning," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said, "I'm not concerned." That’s how good they are!
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Favorite is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
- Over is 7-3-2 in the last 12 meetings in Detroit.
- Home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
- Blackhawks are 9-23 in the last 32 meetings.
- Blackhawks are 5-16 in the last 21 meetings in Detroit.
- Red Wings are 21-5 in their last 26 games as a home favorite of -151 to -200.
- Red Wings are 8-2 in their last 10 playoff games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
- Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
- Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Wings are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
When: Tue, May 19, 2009 7:30 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
Pick: Red Wings -200
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
The Bottom Line: The Wings are too much for the playoff inexperienced Blackhawks. Go Wings! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 60% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
