Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings
This price is based on the regular season performances of these two teams, not how they have played recently. I honestly don’t think you can say at this point that the Blackhawks, the owners of the regular season’s best record, are better than the Red Wings. Barring the last game, a desperate contest for the Blackhawks, the Red Wings have outplayed and out skated their opponents.
In my last hockey handicap, I also mentioned how the home teams are winning at the greatest rate in years. I don’t believe it is a legitimate trend, but rather an anomaly. However, I’m reminded of a financial axiom attributed to John Maynard Keynes: Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent. Whether its true or not, the Red Wings believe it’s true and will skate in this game with tremendous confidence.
There are a few rules in hockey that do favor the home team. One of the primary advantages of the home team is getting the last line change. The line matchups have worked to the Red Wings advantage. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock will get his men on the ice in the right situations, giving him the Wings the edge in this game. It’s no coincidence the Red Wings have a 3-2 edge in the series.
I’ll take the Red Wings +110, to win tonight and close out the series.