Stanley Cup Game 4 Betting Line – Winner of Game 4 will Win the Cup

Saying the Game 3 win was a big one for the Flyers is an understatement. Going into an 0-3 hole in the Stanley Cup Finals is a place no team has ever returned from, despite the Flyers digging themselves out of the same predicament in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Instead, the series is now 2-1 in favour of the Hawks but the momentum is on the Flyers side. That being said, I think the winner of Game 4 will win the Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup Game 4 Betting Line:

Chicago Blackhawks (+100) at Philadelphia Flyers (-120)

Broadcast – Friday, June 4th – 8 pm ET (NBC, CBC)

Puckline – Flyers -1 ½ (+240), Blackhawks +1 ½ (-290)

The big story for Philly has been the play of veteran guys Briere and Pronger. Danny notched a goal in Game 3 while Pronger had an assist in Philly’s 4-3 win. And while the points are nice from their veteran defenseman, it’s the presence he’s brought to the ice and his ability to get in the heads of the Hawks players that has made him so valuable. For Briere, he picked a good time to turn it on as he was the Flyers biggest free-agent acquisition a few years back, and is finally earning his pay check, leading the team with 11 goals in the playoffs so far.

But as good as Briere and Pronger have been, the Flyers’ first line has been just as bad. And the fact of the matter is, Philadelphia cannot win this series unless their top line of Mike Richards, Simon Gagne and Jeff Carter seriously step it up. The only reason these guys might not producing is the fact that Carter and Gagne both sustained foot injuries sustained in the first round, so they might not be at 100 percent, but they’ve been playing like they’re running at about a quarter speed.

What makes matters worse is that they’re not only not producing, they are actually hurting the Flyers. This line has been guilty of poor defensive-zone play, turning the puck over, and taking bad penalties. To put it in perspective, these three have not scored an even-strength goal against the Chicago Blackhawks and are a combined minus-14.

Here are some Stanley Cup Finals betting trends for Game 4:

• Home team is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
• Favorite is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings.
• Blackhawks are 4-14 in the last 18 meetings.
• Blackhawks are 0-9 in the last 9 meetings in Philadelphia.

Chicago is still in the driver’s seat of this series, but if Philadelphia is able to notch the Stanley Cup Finals at two a piece, they may just have the momentum heading back to Chicago. On the other hand, taking a 3-1 series lead back to Chicago would mean that the Flyers would have to win three straight to upset the Hawks, a scenario that seems highly unlikely considering how Chicago has played this post-season.

This game is extremely tough to call considering the Flyers are 8-1 at home this postseason, but I think they are able to get to Leighton in Game 4 and walk out of Philadelphia with a chance to win the Cup in Chicago. My play is on Chicago at even money in the NHL Sportsbook.