NHL Bets – Flyers Look to Draw Even

For all of you that placed your NHL bets on a quick series, you may be out of luck. The Philadelphia Flyers came to play on Wednesday night and served notice that they are not about to go quietly in their series with the Blackhawks. All three games have been decided by one goal meaning any NHL bets on the Puckline have been frustrating at best.

Chicago Blackhawks @ Philadelphia Flyers
8:00 PM ET, Friday, June 4, 2010
Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On: Versus (USA) and CBC (Canada)

Chicago leads series 2-1

Chicago Blackhawks: -105

The Chicago Blackhawks hung tough in Game three until the third period when for the second game in a row they were blitzed by the Flyers. The Hawks have been outshot 30-8 in the third periods of the past two games! The Hawks were outworked, outhit and eventually outscored in Game 3. They need to be better or this series will become a best of three.

Patrick Kane’s one goal and one assist was a good sign but the fact that Chicago’s other two goals were scored by defensemen is not. Dustin Byfuglien looks lost on the ice and that has certainly affected the effectiveness of Jonathan Toews especially (1 assist in series). The secondary scoring that was so prevalent in the first two games was not nearly as effective in Game 3 and the Hawks paid the price. It could be that they had a bad Game 3 or it could be that Philadelphia has figured them out.

Good news for Chicago fans is that Antti Niemi is just fine. He was the difference in the game, just like he was in Game 2. Duncan Keith is a treat to watch and was the best Blackhawk on the ice. The defense was fine but was victimized by two power play goals.

Puckline: Chicago: +1.5 (-270): Philadelphia: -1.5 (230)

Philadelphia Flyers: -115

The Philadelphia Flyers finally got a little karma back on Wednesday night. After two well played games in Chicago, the Flyers were in a 2-0 hole. Wednesday night, the Flyers brought speed, physicality and an unmatched will to Wachovia Center. They played their best game of the series and were rewarded finally.

Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Simon Gagne had another poor game but were picked up big time by their second line. Claude Giroux had one goal and two assists, Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell chipped in a goal and an assist and Ville Leino added a goal for a determined Philadelphia team. The Flyers are proving to be a deep team who keep playing solid hockey and appear to only be getting better.

The Philadelphia Flyers defense was the difference in Game 3. Besides Matt Carle’s two assists, Chris Pronger and crew played lights out in their zone. The Flyers completely neutralized a strong Chicago forecheck and eliminated any sustained Blackhawk pressure. The Flyers created intelligent break out plays and quarterbacked what was a dynamic transition game. Smart hockey is successful playoff hockey.

The Philadelphia Flyers broke the Hawks’ seven game road winning streak and took their home winning streak to six. The Flyers are now 8-1 on home ice in the playoffs and I like their strong play at Wachovia Center to continue Friday night.

NHL Free Picks: Philadelphia Flyers -115