Cup Finals: Philadelphia at Chicago, Game 5

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Last Updated on Sunday, 6th Jun 2010, 

Written by BetRepublic

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The gameplan for Philadelphia coming home from two one-goal losses in Chicago was complex but the objective was simple: Win… twice.

Mission accomplished, the Flyers take their physical game on the road looking for a win in one of the toughest buildings in hockey.

PHILADELPHIA AT CHICAGO
Line: Blackhawks -180
Over/Under: 5.5 OV -125

Series tied 2-2

Philadelphia opened the game on Friday with a decent pace and for the first time in these playoffs the Blackhawks were showing signs of exhaustion. Bad changes on the fly, guys running out of gas and a tendency to ease up on the puck too quickly after losing control in the Flyers zone allowed Philly to immediately setup their attack.

Chicago also had an instant cure for extinguishing any sign of their own momentum by taking three penalties through the first 33 minutes while on the forecheck, the first of which led to a Mike Richards goal at 4:35. Back on home ice we have to expect a more disciplined approach and HC Quenneville, who loves to play the matchup game, will be helped by the last change.

To Chicago’s credit, they did turn on the jets in the final 10 minutes of the third period. Power-play opportunities were a big part of it but Philly’s discipline on the road should not really be a concern since the team was called for just three minors in the first two games at the Madhouse.

KEEP IT TIGHT
Up until Philadelphia’s third goal of Friday’s game, 96-percent of the series had been played with the score either tied or the teams within a one-goal margin of each other. Puckline bettors tempted by Chicago -1.5 (+160) should note that four of Chicago’s past six wins have been by one goal.

DROP THE PUCK
Chicago won the faceoff battle 49-36 (57.6 percent) in game 4 and watching these games unfold one starts to wonder when this Chicago faceoff dominance is going to become a bigger concern for HC Laviolette. Once the Hawks pulled within one goal in the third period Toews and Ballard were unbeatable in the offensive zone. Sure, these draws were off icing calls so Philly did not always have their best man for the job available but for the Flyers sake, you’d have to think they made faceoffs a focal point of their off-day practice.

IN THE CREASE
Antti Niemi continues to standout as the weakest link in the Blackhawks defense. Niemi has now given up four goals or more in three-of-four games in this series while at the other end, Michael Leighton is getting stronger by the day. Leighton is now 8-2 since returning from injury and he has only twice allowed more than three goals.

BACK TO THE FUTURES
Adjusted price on the series is Chicago (-190), down from (-250). The Flyers payback has been trimmed to Philadelphia (+175) from a series opener of (+205). Anyone considering a play on the underdog should note that some online sportsbooks are still offering ‘Exact Series’ pricing and buying both Philadelphia in six games (+405) or seven games (+465) together offers a better payback.

The Flyers are 13-6 all-time when a series is tied 2-2, while Chicago is 13-18 when splitting the first four games of a playoff series.

Our original series pick is Philadelphia and for game 5 we are in a holding pattern. When books opened the betting for this game at 6 UN -130, it looked like this total would be a pass, too, but the "Under" is taking action and at 5.5 we like the chances for this score climbing to the high side.
BetRepublic.com Pick: Take the Over

Game 6 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9th at 8 pm ET.