Stanley Cup Finals - Game 2 Odds

For all the storylines heading into the Stanley Cup, Game 1 proved that these teams can clearly get it done on offense, but their goaltending situations leave much to be desired. Both teams looked dangerous when they had the puck, but when you go back and look at the highlights you’ll notice a very suspect defensive zone for both teams. This game figures to be a more tight checking game as both coaches no doubt were not pleased with their team’s efforts defending their net, but the Over/Under (6 goals) is still very much in jeopardy. 

Stanley Cup Game 2 Betting Line:

Philadelphia Flyers (+160) at Chicago Blackhawks (-190)

Broadcast – Monday, May-31^st – 9 pm ET (NBC, CBC)

Puckline – Flyers +1 ½ (-175), Blackhawks -1 ½ (+155)

The Flyers didn’t even know until late Sunday who their starter was going to be on Monday night, a question mark you don’t want to have in the Stanley Cup Finals. Coach Laviolette decided to go with Game 1 starter, Michael Leighton, showing some faith in the guy that got them here. That being said, the Flyer netminder was extremely shaky on Saturday night, giving up five goals on 20 shots before being pulled in favour of Brian Boucher.  If Leighton has another shaky start, he probably won’t get a chance to give up 5 as Boucher looked sharp in relief, stopping 11 of 12 shots.  

The Blackhawks drew first blood, and will take the win, but that game easily could have gone either way.  Although it’s great entertainment for the fans, that game was a coaches nightmare. The Hawks did have to come from behind three times to tie the game at 1-1, 3-3 and 4-4 but they also blew a 2-1 lead and then a 5-4 lead only to put the Flyers away with a late tally. And although that shows resilience, they don’t want to get into any more wild shootouts in their own building.  

Although the Hawks never pulled their tender, Antti Niemi was far from brilliant as he too gave up 5 goals. He will need to bounce back and rebuild some confidence as the Flyers will no doubt be looking to get on him early with the memory of last game still fresh in his mind. 

The Flyers obviously need a better game from their starter, but they are going to need their  top line of Simon Gagne, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to step up as they were held off the score-sheet on Saturday night. Although the supporting cast did more than enough to give them a chance to win, this line needs to be the offensive spark plug for this team if they have any shot in this series. 

The line of Danny Briere, Scott Hartnell and Ville Leino carried the Flyers in Game 1 as Briere had a goal and three assists, Hartnell finished with a goal and two assists and Leino notched a goal and had an assist. If they are able to put in that kind of effort throughout this Stanley Cup, the Flyers will be in good shape. 

I think they at least came out of Game 1 with some confidence and will be that much better in Game 2. Although Chicago will have made some adjustments as well, I think Philly will be the more dangerous team on Monday night.  I’d play the Flyers at +160 to notch this series at 1-1.