The second Game 7 in as many days takes place tonight in the NHL Playoffs between the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Tonight's game is scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the NHL Playoffs Odds has the Blackhawks heavily favored to win.
The Detroit Red Wings will be pretty angry with themselves if they aren't able to hang on and win this series. They led the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 after the first four games of the series but now we're playing Game 7, in Chicago. The Windy City's hockey team was the best in the NHL during the regular season but have been pushed to the brink by their arch rivals from the Motor City.
Jimmy Howard has to come up big for the Red Wings in tonight's game. Chicago has scored four goals in each of the last two games after scoring just two goals combined in the previous three games, all of which were Red Wings wins. Detroit turned up the pressure and Howard made 86 saves in 88 opportunities during that stretch.
Corey Crawford is playing pretty well for the Blackhawks in net. The offensive lines for Chicago is going to be a major difference tonight. Not too long ago they were facing elimination in back to back games and even though it's another elimination game tonight, a win means they move on. Chicago captain Jonathan Toews has said all the right things so far, mentioning the one game at a time cliche, but for them it has worked.
Michal Handzus converted a wide-open opportunity right in front of the net, and then Bryan Bickell scored before Michael Frolik scored as well for the Blackhawks to score three times in the opening 10 minutes of Game 6's third period. Detroit led that game 2-1 prior to those three goals.
Detroit stars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have been quiet against Chicago in the series. Zetterberg is without a goal in the series and Datsyuk has just two points.
In tonight's matchup there is a lot of value on the Red Wings for a Game 7. Not saying they are going to win the contest, but getting a team at better than 2/1 odds to win a single game is pretty good. The Red Wings do have a lot of experience but how much will blowing a 3-1 lead hurt them in this game tonight? We're going with the upset.
Free Pick: Detroit 3, Chicago 2
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NHL Free Picks: Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks Betting
What hockey bettors need to know about Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday (5/29/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Vegas Runner, with and host Steve Fezzik.