The Stanley Cup Finals this season has arguably been as close as any Finals prior to it in the history of the NHL.
That's why many believe that it is almost a destiny of sorts that the Tampa Bay Lightning (64-35-3-5) beat the Chicago Blackhawks (63-34-4-3) in Game 6 of this fantastic series Monday night.
ODDS ANALYSIS
The Lightning were only short favorites in Game 5, and they’re going to end up being long favorites in Game 6, likely of the +140 or greater variety. The Bolts have consistently been bigger underdogs on the road than they have been favorites at home, which is why this series was essentially a pick 'em at the outset.
GOALIE REPORT
Ben Bishop came back from his undisclosed injury in Game 5, but a horrible venture away from his net might ultimately be what costs the Lightning this series and the Stanley Cup. He did stop a healthy 27-of-29 shots in his first full game of this series since Game 2, but he wasn't better than Corey Crawford on this night.
Crawford stopped 31-of-32 Tampa Bay shots, and he fended off a number of crucial attempts in the third period to keep Chicago's lead safe.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"(We've) never been in this spot. I'm sure it'll be crazy in town. The buzz will be off the charts. We're looking forward to it." – Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville on the buzz expected in the Windy City leading into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals, which could be the first time Chicago has clinched the Cup on home ice since 1938.
SITUATIONAL BETTING
The refs pretty much swallowed their whistles in Game 5, and we just don't see the power play playing a huge role in Game 6 either. Tampa Bay hasn't scored a power play goal in three straight games in this series.
Chicago has gone six penalties in a row without scoring a goal.
Both of these units might be dangerous, but the better opportunity for live betting purposes might actually be on the shorthanded team, not the team on the power play.
PROP TALK
Would you believe that you have to go back to May 24 to find the last time Steven Stamkos scored a goal? He has just one assist in the Finals, and that one point is the only one that he has in his last seven games. It's tough to bet against a man who had 43 goals and 29 helpers in the regular season, but Stamkos has been effectively shut down the entire series by the Blackhawks.
ANALYSIS & PREDICTION
Nikita Kucherov went down with what appeared to be a shoulder injury in Game 5, and the "Triplets" line just didn't look the same without him out there. Even if he does try to give it a go, it's tough to imagine that either he, Ondrej Palat or Tyler Johnson will be as effective as usual.
If that's the case, we just don't see the Lightning getting out of Chicago alive in this game. Yes, the road team has been very good in this series every step of the way, and Tampa may very well have some real value if the price creeps up into the +150 range, but with a gun to our head, we'll take the Blackhawks and lay the vig to wrap up the Stanley Cup at home.
Chicago 3, Tampa Bay 2
The NHL lines for this Monday game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. Minute-by-minute puck-lines, totals, moneylines and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker's new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here, and start wagering today! Game 6 of this series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks will commence on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. ET at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The contest will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
