The Chicago Blackhawks had won 7 playoff games in a row on their home ice before may 21st manhandling by the visiting LA Kings. The Hawks were cruising along fine and absolutely had things going their way until late in the 2nd period and that’s when the flood gates opened!
The first two periods the Hawks simply played text book hockey and were leading 2-0 up until 18:24 of the second period when Justin Williams got the Kings on the board with a sloppy play that Crawford simply lost track of. The Kings absolutely controlled every phase of the game from that moment on and cashed in with another 5 goals in the third period to win 6-2. Three of the five goals were scored by the Kings Jeff Carter. To say that the Blackhawks simply lost focus is an understatement!
If the Kings win this series this would have been the turning point. When the Kings are clicking on all cylinders they are one of the most dangerous teams in the league. They can score at will and proved that on Chicago’s home ice, but if their goal minder Jonathon Quick gets hot as well they will be a force to be reckoned with for the Stanley Cup!
Blackhawks coal Joe Quenneville was quoted as saying that everything thing was alright and then all of a sudden it all turned into a complete disaster.” The series now goes back to LA and the home town boys should come out with all the confidence in the world. Game 3 will take place on May 24th, Saturday night. in LA. Offshore bookies currently have the hometown Kings listed as a -130 favorite to win the game. The total is set at 5 and now that the series is even at 1 game apiece the series price has been adjusted down to Chicago -115.
The Rangers are currently sitting as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup at even money followed by Chicago at -115, Kings +190 and the Canadiens at a lofty +700. There is a lot of hockey to still be played but each game gets more intense!
