The Chicago Blackhawks are just one win away from winning the Stanley Cup final as they travel to Boston to take on the Bruins in Game 6 of the best-of-seven set on Monday night.
And how important is Game 6? Nine of the past 11 Finals series that lasted at least six games saw the Game 6 Sportsbook claim the Cup. The exceptions are the 2006 Edmonton Oliers and 2003 Anaheim Ducks.
Five times, the Cup was decided in Game 6. Four times, the team that trailed the series 3-2 went on to win both Games 6 and 7 to win the Cup.
Chicago won Game 5 of the series over the weekend as a -146 home favorite at the sportsbooks, claiming the 3-1 victory on two goals by Patrick Kane and an empty-netter from Dave Bolland. Zdeno Chara had the lone Bruins marker in that contest.
Only two series since 1998 were decided in less than six games (the 2007 Ducks over Ottawa and Detroit over Carolina in 2002).
View Chicago vs Boston Odds and Stats.
Power Rankings:
According to new NHL Power Rankings here, it's the No. 4-ranked Bruins and the No. 1-rated Blackhawks in this matchup.
Game 6 Finals Odds: The Bruins were -125 favorites at Sportsbook and most sportsbooks for Monday's possible clincher. The total was 5 at Sportsbook.
How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Boston's No. 11-ranked offense (2.7 goals per game) against a Blackhawks defense that ranks No. 1 at 2.1 goals per game allowed. The Bruins Sportsbook has clicked at a 14.8% rate while the Blackhawks have a 87.2% rate on the penalty kill.
The Bruins were a 3-1 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Blackhawks. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Chicago at -146 on the moneyline, while the total score (4) was good news for UNDER bettors.
Chicago Blackhawks Trends:
When playing on Monday are 7-3
Before playing Edmonton are 5-5
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Boston Bruins Trends:
When playing on Monday are 6-4
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Chicago are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3
A few Blackhawks at Bruins trends to consider:
Chicago is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Chicago's last 15 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing Boston
Chicago is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Boston is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games
Next up:
Chicago home to Boston, Wednesday, June 26
