Minnesota Wild Attempt to Draw Even Host Hawks in Game 4
There weren’t many that gave the Minnesota Wild a chance in their quarter final series with the Chicago Blackhawks but the underdogs may have found a formula for success against the President’s Trophy winners – hitting the Hawks early and often. The Wild benefitted from an uber-physical game plan Sunday when they recorded the overtime win against the overwhelming favorite in the series. Repeating the task will be difficult indeed for Minnesota – Chicago has been sensational all year and they did not lose back-to-back games at any point during the regular season.
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Chicago Blackhawks (38-7-1-5) at Minnesota Wild (27-20-2-2)
When: 9:30 PM ET, Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Where: Xcel Energy Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Broadcast: CBC, RDS2, NBCSN, CSN-CH, FS-N
Blackhawks lead series 2-1
Blackhawks vs. Wild Betting Lines from betonline.com
Chicago Blackhawks -1½ +180 -171 Ov 5 +105
Minnesota Wild +1½ -210 +155 Un 5 -116
The Chicago Blackhawks go caught a little flat footed in Game 3 – they were outhit, outskated and ultimately outscored by a team that brought more emotion to the rink that day. The Hawks were unable to deal with the vicious forecheck of the Wild and they paid the price losing the time of possession battle in what was a very rough and tumble affair.
The Hawks are still the deepest team in the NHL and one of the better coached squads in the game – they will certainly be able to make some adjustments ahead of Game 4. However, they could use some more production from their top line – the line of Jonathan Toews, Brandon Saad and Mario Hossa has just one goal in the three games and Saad and Toews have been held pointless so far. Patrick Kane however has four points in two games, Patrick Sharp has three points in two games and the defense has been stellar in the offensive zone. Chicago is averaging 37.33 shots per game – they are getting their chances.
Chicago’s defense, the best goals against squad in the NHL during the regular season has maintained its solid play. The team is giving up 30.67 shots per game but Corey Crawford has limited the damage and is 2-1-0 with a 1.81 GAA and .935 save percentage thus far.
The Minnesota Wild played the perfect game Sunday and won their first playoff game in five years as a result. They brought a physicality that caught the Blackhawks off guard. The Wild generated a strong forecheck in Game 3 – something they were unable to do in the first two contests in the series.
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Minnesota finally got a goal from Zach Parise in Game 3 – his first tally of the playoffs and the team may get Jason Pominville back from injury for Game 4 which would be a huge boost for the offensively challenged Minnesota team. The Wild won’t win a lot of high scoring affairs – defense, goaltending, discipline and a strong adherence to their game plan will be essential if they hope to have a chance.
Josh Harding will get the start in goal again Tuesday – Nik Backstrom appears close to returning to the lineup bur doesn’t appear to be ready quite yet. Harding has played very well in relief and is giving the Wild a chance every night. He has a 2.42 GAA in the 3 games but also has a very good .928 save percentage in those game.
Betting Prediction
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A few trends to consider:• Under is 6-1-1 in CHI last 8 vs. Northwest.
• Under is 5-1-2 in CHI last 8 overall.
• CHI are 38-13 in their last 51 overall.
• Under is 4-1-3 in MIN last 8 vs. Central.
• MIN are 4-14 in their last 18 Tue. games.
• Over is 6-2-1 in MIN last 9 games following a win.
The Minnesota Wild played about as well as they could in Game 3 and they still needed overtime to get past the Hawks. Expect Chicago to make some much needed adjustments ahead of Tuesday’s showdown and for the team to bring a whole lot more intensity to the rink. The Hawks are too experienced, too deep and too talented to be caught off guard two games in a row. They didn’t lose two in a row all year – no reason to think they’ll start now.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks -171
