Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings takes place tonight. The NHL Playoffs Start Time for the game is set for an 8:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on the NBC Sports Network. Currently the odds for the game have the Blackhawks favored to win and even the series.
Despite the long winning streak, despite finishing with 36 wins, 77 points and the President's Trophy this year, none of it could mean anything if the Blackhawks lose tonight. Chicago's in a position of win or be in trouble from Joe Louis Arena in tonight's game. The Red Wings already lead the series 2-1 and a victory tonight would propel them to a 3-1 series lead and only having to win one of the next three games played.
But let's not count Chicago out just yet. They only lost back to back games once this season four times this season and they haven't dropped three in a row. A win tonight for the Red Wings would be their third straight over the Blackhawks since losing several in a row to Chicago dating back to last year.
Jimmy Howard's been a big reason the Red Wings have gotten to where they are currently. Detroit had to win its final four regular season games and came back from a 3-2 deficit to knock out the Anaheim Ducks in the opening round. Howard has won six of his 10 starts this post season with a goals against average of 2.43 and saving better than 92 percent of the shots he has faced.
His counterpart Corey Crawford has a goals against of just 1.81 this playoffs and only the Red Wings have been able to beat them in a game so far. Chicago swept Minnesota to open the playoffs. Crawford has been an impressive 82-40-18 the last three regular seasons, but a lackluster 10-11 in the playoffs.
Henrik Zetterberg and the Red Wings understand how big of a game this is tonight. Playing at home is clearly a good thing for Detroit, but Chicago was the best team on the road this season. Zetterberg leads the team in shots on goal, assists and points with 10 so far this playoffs, but Damien Brunner has four tallies to head the list for Detroit.
Chicago's best guys Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane will be pushing hard in tonight's game. They believe they can win tonight's game and the oddsmakers agree with them, making the Blackhawks the favorite to win for the fourth straight game over Detroit. Yet, if the Blackhawks aren't able to come out of Detroit with a win in this one they'll be in a tough spot.
We like the Red Wings to get it done. They're at home, playing in arguably the biggest game of the year and Howard comes up big in this one.
Free Pick: Detroit 3, Chicago 2
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