The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have 2-0 leads in their hockey betting series. The Blackhawks would seem to be in very good shape since they won their two games on the road. Those making a hockey bet may take a shot with Montreal since they will be home for the next two games.
Hockey betting favors Chicago and Montreal in Game 3 since they are the home teams. Montreal is a -125 favorite on Thursday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Flyers while Chicago is a -155 favorite against San Jose in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals on Friday.
The Flyers have completely dominated the Canadians so far in the Eastern Conference Finals as goaltender Michael Leighton has two straight shutouts. He has made 58 saves in the series and Montreal simply has not found an answer yet. “When we needed to get the big save, (Leighton) did, and when they pushed we pushed back,” Flyers captain Mike Richards said, “It was big for us.” The Canadians have outshot the Flyers in both games but Leighton has made the saves. “We’re not out of this series by any means,” Montreal forward Brian Gionta said. “We got some good chances tonight, which is encouraging.”
In the Western Conference Finals the Chicago Blackhawks have controlled San Jose in the first two games. They led 3-0 in Game 2 and the Sharks were never in the game. Andrew Ladd, Dustin Byfuglien and Jonathan Toews scored and the game was over. Chicago now heads home with a 2-0 lead in the series. The Blackhawks have actually been better on the road in the playoffs so that is something to keep in mind as you make a hockey bet in this series.
With both of the series changing locations it will be interesting to see if Montreal and San Jose can get going. Montreal seems the more likely candidate simply because they are at home. The Sharks look like a team that has quit. They have never done anything in the playoffs and when push comes to shove they are simply not going to beat Chicago even if they manage to win a game on the road. Montreal has a great home ice advantage and if they can just get the first goal against the Flyers they may turn that into a competitive series.