Cup Finals: Chicago at Philadelphia, Game 4

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Last Updated on Friday, 4th Jun 2010, 

Written by BetRepublic

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After taking the first two games of the best-of-seven series on home ice pundits were quick to pull out the broom clichés and crown the Blackhawks as Stanley Cup champs. But my, what a difference one overtime win can make.

CHICAGO AT PHILADELPHIA
Line: Flyers -120
Over/Under: 5.5 OV -120

Blackhawk lead series 2-1

It’s easy to point at problems for Chicago through the first three games of this series:

- Power-play is 0-for-6
- Penalty kill unit has given up four goals in 10 opportunities
- Zero production from the Toews, Kane and Byfuglien line

Finding a solution, on the other hand, is a much different story. HC Joel Quenneville has already been active with his line juggling act and that will likely continue tonight. Rather than just making adjustments on the power-play, though, look for Marian Hossa to see additional minutes and possibly even get a chance to skate with Toews and Kane.

Chris Pronger has had an excellent series both on and off the ice and his experience has helped lead to frustrations for Big Buff that translated into a pair of minors Wednesday. Splitting this line would force HC Laviolette to make a decision on who Pronger is on to defend against and it would also provide a shakeup to the Hawks’ No. 1 line that may pay huge dividends. Hossa has been one of the hardest workers on the team, too, and deserves a shot at adding to his playoff totals.

Discipline for Chicago stayed fairly steady this post-season ranking fourth, third and third through the first three rounds respectively. Their overall minutes per game (10.3) have not changed tremendously vs. the Flyers either, but Philadelphia, stereotyped as the bullies of the league, are behaving like A-students.

The Flyers penalty kill unit is now 27-of-28 since the start of the third round and a big part of that has been the play of Michael Leighton. On the other end of the rink, Antti Niemi continues to cough up rebound after rebound so the advantage there has to be with the Philadelphia.

CRUNCH THE NUMBERS
- Philadelphia is 8-20 when playing against good offensive teams that average 2.85 or more goals per game this season. (Chicago: 3.20 GPG in regular season, 3.37 GPG in playoffs)

- Philadelphia is 6-17 against explosive offensive teams that score 3-plus goals per game this season.

- Chicago is 39–17 in its past 56 games against a team with a winning record

Teams that have won the first two games in the Stanley Cup Finals have hoisted the Cup 31 out of 33 times. The Blackhawks loss in game 3 was the team’s first since May 9 and first away from home since Round 1 against Nashville. The team has not lost back-to-back games on the road (no home game in-between) since November 28, and has a very strong chance to bounce back. This Flyers team is not going to go away easily though.
BetRepublic.com Pick: Take the Over

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