NHL Stanley Cup – Blackhawks vs Flyers

Chicago Blackhawks at Philadelphia Flyers
Game 6 – Blackhawks lead 3-2
8:00 PM EST on NBC
NHL Hockey Picks.

This Wednesday night the Cup will be on the line as the Chicago Blackhawks are now just one win away from being crowned this year’s World Champions. After beating up the Flyers 7-4 in game 5 on Sunday night in Chicago to take a three games to two edge in this best-of-seven series, the action shifts back to Philadelphia for game 6 on Wednesday, June 9^th at 8:00 P.M.

So far the location has dictated the winner of the first five games as each team has successfully defended their home ice. In Chicago, the Blackhawks won a wild Game 1 by the score of 6-5 and pounded out a 2-1 victory in Game 2. With the series in Philadelphia for two games, the Flyers pulled out a 4-3 overtime win in Game 3 and held on to win Game 4 by a score of 5-3 after almost blowing a three goal lead.

In Game 5 on Sunday night Chicago finally showed the form that earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference a trip to Finals in the first place. They were able to neutralize Flyer’s defenseman Chris Pronger and put their top guns in prime position to score. They built a dominant 3-0 lead after the first period and matched Philadelphia goal for goal from there to come away with the all important 7-4 win.

In order to avoid a Game 7 and win their first championship since the 1960-61 season, Chicago is going to have to find a way to take their show on the road. Prior to this series the Blackhawks had won seven straight games on the road this postseason including taking two straight from No. 1 seed San Jose in the conference finals. Against Philadelphia it has been a different story as they have struggled in their two games in Philly.

In order to force a Game 7 and give them self a chance to hoist the Cup for the first time since the 1974, Philadelphia needs to take care of business at home in Game 6. They need to aggressively go after the Blackhawks right from the start to keep them from developing any kind of momentum. The team that scores first will have a huge advantage so it is vitally important for the Flyers to draw first blood. It appears it will be a game time decision as to whether Michael Leighton or Brian Boucher will be in goal for Philly, but regardless of who gets the call the pressure will be on them to keep Chicago out of the net.

At -125, Philadelphia is the slight favorite in this game with Chicago currently at +105. The over/under is set at 5.5 with the money line at -140 on the over and +120 on the under so the odds favor another high scoring game.

Both these teams have been dominant on their home ice and there is no reason to believe that things will be different in Game 6. The Flyers will use the energy of the crowd in the Wachovia Center to keep the Blackhawks from celebrating a championship victory on their home ice. That celebration will be reserved for Friday night back in Chicago.

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Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends:

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games
• Chicago is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
• The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago’s last 8 games on the road
• Chicago is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road

Philadelphia Flyers Betting Trends:

• The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia’s last 6 games
• Philadelphia is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia’s last 5 games at home
• Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home