The Chicago Blackhawks are 5-3 in their last eight playoff road games, holding a 2-1 record in their last three. The Blackhawks visit the Tampa Bay Lightning for a crucial Game 5 this Saturday night at Amalie Arena.
Stanley Cup Final betting: Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 5 odds, stats
Chicago tied the Stanley Cup final up at home in Game 4, and is now on the road trying to take the lead in Game 5 against the Lightning.
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Chicago is a +105 road underdog in Game 5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. This is the first road game that Chicago has been an underdog of only +105 or less since visiting the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 of the second round at +104.
With their backs against the wall, the Blackhawks did what they always seem to do in the postseason -- they found a way to win. Jonathan Toews gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead on what was just the team's sixth shot of the game in the second period, but the game was tied up only five minutes later. Brandon Saad scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, and this time Chicago held on to the lead to secure the victory.
The Blackhawks won by the same score they did in Game 1, with a 2-1 final. Corey Crawford came up big with 24 saves on 25 shots, and Chicago is 7-1 this postseason in games that it allows two goals or less, according to the OddsShark NHL Database.
In what many were considering to be a must-win game for Chicago, Tampa Bay did a good job of controlling the tempo early on. The Lightning outshot the Blackhawks 9-2 in the first period, but were unable to find the go-ahead goal that might have changed their fate on the road.
The series now returns to Tampa Bay for Game 5 where home ice hasn't served as much of an advantage for the Lightning this postseason. Tampa Bay is 3-4 over its last seven home games and 1-3 over its last four home games.
Saturday's total for the Blackhawks vs. Lightning betting matchup is set at 5.5 goals at the sportsbooks. Five of the last six games between Chicago and Tampa Bay have gone UNDER the total.
When a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 goes on to win the series just under 80% of the time in the NHL. Both teams will fight for that edge on Saturday night.
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