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 The Detroit Red Wings have cruised to a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals over the young Chicago Blackhawks squad. Tonight, May 22, the Blackhawks are hoping home ice proves advantageous as they get set to host the Red Wings. NHL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Blackhawks as -125 moneyline favs over the Red Wings (+105) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick in now at SBGglobal.com
The Red Wings Pavel Datsyuk's scoring has been way down during the Detroit Red Wings' run at another Stanley Cup. And now the star center and MVP finalist Pavel Datsyuk has a sore foot to deal with headed into tonight’s game. "He took a rocket off the foot the other night. We'll go from there and see what happens," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He's day-to-day, simple. We'll see how his foot reacts." It shouldn’t hurt the Wings as Datsyuk only has one goal and five assists for 6pts. Detroit has outscored the Hawks 8-4 in two games, and in Game 2’s 3-2 (OT) win they got goals from Brian Rafalski, Daniel Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson banged in the overtime winner. Their power play went 1 for 4 and their penalty kill went 1 for 5. Another struggling Wing is Marian Hossa who had 40 goals in the regular season, but just four goals in 13 playoff games. "As long as you win, it's all good. But we still find a way to put ourselves on the scoreboard," Hossa said. They’ve also got some top-notch saves from goalie Chris Osgood, who had 37 saves in Game 2, and the play of Lidstrom defensively that has slowed down Chicago's fast-paced transition offense.
The Blackhawks young guns are finding it difficult to score against the defense and goaltending of the Wings. Chicago's 20-year-old star Patrick Kane had no shots on goal in the opener and managed three in Game 2, while going scoreless. He managed his first career hat trick in the semifinal clincher over Vancouver. "A guy like Lidstrom puts his stick in great positions all the time and he's knocking pucks away from you," Kane said. "Sometimes stats are a little deflating. I guess it's one of those things. I felt a lot better (in the second game). I was creating more," he added. "It would be nice to see one go in the net here and there, but we have a lot of players who can do it. So I'm not worried about that." The Blackhawks top scorers during their 14 playoff games is Martin Havlat with five goals nine assists, while Patrick Kane has eight goals five assists and Jonathan Toews has six goals six assists. Chicago was able to solve Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff and Vancouver's Roberto Luongo in the first two rounds, but Osgood has been fairly unflappable so far in two games. They managed to outscore the Canucks and Flames by a combined 44-35. The goals will come, just keep shooting.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Red Wings are 24-9 in the last 33 meetings.
- Home team is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
- Favorite is 23-9 in the last 32 meetings.
- Red Wings are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
- Red Wings are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Red Wings are 5-1 in their last 6 overall.
- Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a home favorite.
- Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last 7 home games.
- Blackhawks are 6-1 in their last 7 games as a favorite.
- Blackhawks are 5-1 in their last 6 playoff games as a favorite.
- Blackhawks are 5-1 in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
When: Fri, May 22, 2009 8:00 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Red Wings +105
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks
The Bottom Line: Never count out the Wings; it doesn’t matter if they’re at home or on the road. They have tremendous offense and defense. Go Wings! Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Pick in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 60% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.
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