| 2009 NHL Playoffs: Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Game 5 |
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| Written by Scott Burgess | |||||||
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Wednesday, 27 May 2009
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 The Detroit Red Wings can end the Chicago Blackhawks season tonight, May 27, and set up the Stanley Cup Finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins, for the second straight year. Both teams are riddled with injuries to their top players. NHL oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Red Wings as -240 moneyline favs over the Blackhawks (+210) with the over/under listed at 5.5 goals. Be sure to get your 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction in now at SBGglobal.comThe Blackhawks lost Game 4 big time 1-6 at home and now they have their backs to the wall. The Hawks leading scorer Martin Havlat returned to the lineup Sunday, two days after a jarring hit from Detroit Niklas Kronwall, but was limited to fewer than eight minutes because he was checked hard by Brad Stuart. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said his team would wait until game day to determine if No. 1 goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin would play tonight. Khabibulin has been out since playing the first two periods of Game 3 because of a lower body injury. He was replaced by Cristobal Huet, who allowed five of Detroit six goals in Game 5. Even with Detroit top players sidelined they could do anything about scoring. "Even though they might be missing some of their top players, they have that depth and have that experience," Toews said. "We definitely can't expect an easy game. "They are going to be determined to close it out. But we're not going anywhere. We're positive and optimistic about our situation, although a lot of people may not be." The Red Wings did just fine without Nicklas Lidstrom as he missed his first playoff game in his career. He suffered a lower body injury and he’ll sit out tonight’s game. Kris Draper sat out Game 4 and is listed as doubtful and Pavel Datsyuk is a game time decision. Detroit has played in this series without two of its best players and four-time Cup-winning forward Kris Draper because of injuries. But they didn’t skip a beat without their top players. "I don't think there was any doubt we would win without those two," Rafalski said. Ericsson replaced Lidstrom, pairing him with Rafalski, and was solid in place of a player with a franchise-record 228 games of postseason experience. Valtteri Filppula has four points in the past two games, filling in for Datsyuk. Detroit leads the Hawks 7-3 during the regular season and playoffs, and the Hawks haven’t beaten the Wings at home in four playoff games. You can bet your life savings on Detroit tonight as they’ll want plenty of rest before the run for the Cup. Recent Trends to Consider:
2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks When: Wed, May 27, 2009 7:30 PM ET Line: SBGglobal.com Pick: Red Wings -240 Point-Spreads.com 2009 NHL Playoffs Detroit Red Wings vs Chicago Blackhawks The Bottom Line: The Wings can advance and get lots of rest. They aren’t going to lose. 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 10% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit.                        |
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