Bet On Blackhawks Coyotes – Blackhawks, Coyotes Head Back To Phoenix For Game 5

Online betting sharps have a couple of different scenarios to consider when it comes to Game 5 of the Western Conference series between Phoenix and Chicago on Saturday night: the Coyotes could be on the cusp of eliminating the Blackhawks after a huge overtime win in Game 3, or it could be all knotted up at two games apiece after Game 4 on Thursday night. Either way, you can expect a highly competitive affair.

The Blackhawks fell just short in a 3-2 overtime victory in Game 3, the third straight overtime game between the two teams, and it came at an even bigger price than a loss as Marian Hossa left the ice on a stretcher after he was hit by Raffi Torres, who has been suspended indefinitely. Chicago’s NHL betting odds will definitely take a hit without their regular-season points leader, and it isn’t known if or when he’ll be back. Andrew Brunette and Michael Frolik scored for the Blackhawks, while Corey Crawford stopped 31 shots, but the focus after the game was the status of Hossa and the Blackhawks will need players to step up and fill the void left by their sniper.

Mikkel Boedker notched the overtime winner 13:15 into the extra frame, while Rostislav Klesla and Ray Whitney also netted for the Coyotes, who got a 35-save performance from Mike Smith. The Phoenix netminder didn’t seem to show any ill effects of being hit in the head by Chicago’s Andrew Shaw in Game 2 (Shaw was suspended for three games for his actions), and even found time to get into a verbal altercation with Crawford. If you don’t think the Coyotes are for real, guess again; they’re a scrappy team that is going to push you at every turn and the Blackhawks know they’re in for a fight now.

The Coyotes should be the favorites at home where the teams split the first two games of the series, and it’ll be interesting to see where the series is after the two meet in Chicago on Thursday night. Both scenarios will mean different motivations as the Blackhawks could be either trying to stay alive, or everything will be tied up at two games and Game 5 will be a crucial rubber match of sorts. In the playoffs, you often need a hot goalie to get through to the next round and Smith has been on his game, a little more than Crawford, and that is also going to give the Coyotes a chance in the next round. The Blackhawks may have to upgrade in nets before they can challenge for a Stanley Cup again. Take the Coyotes on Saturday night in your sports betting picks.