The Bum's NHL Regular and Stanley Cup Playoff's Best Bets !

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NHL
Dunkel

Boston at Chicago
The Bruins look to bounce back from their 6-5 loss in Game 4 and take advantage of a Chicago team that is 5-14 in its last 19 games after allowing 5 goals or more in the previous game. Boston is the pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Bruins favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+130). Here are all of today's picks.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22

Game 59-60: Boston at Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 13.940; Chicago 12.987
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+130); Over




NHL
Short Sheet

Saturday, June 22

Stanley Cup Finals, Game Five (Series Tied, 2-2)
Boston at Chicago, 8:05 ET NBC
Boston: 1-6 SU off a home loss by 1 goal
Chicago: 19-2 SU off a road win




NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Saturday, June 22

Four games, three OT finishes; makes you want to take underdogs, no? Bruins won 11 of last 14 games overall (4-3 in OT games) since rallying from down 4-1 at the 11:00 mark in Game 7 of 1st round vs Toronto. Boston allowed one goal in the two games they won in series so far; they allowed 4-6 goals in the losses, both OT games. Chicago is 5-0 so far in playoffs when game goes over total, 4-5 if game stays under, 3-2 if total pushes. Hawks won nine of last 12 games since being down 3-1 in Detroit series. Chicago finally scored on power play last game, their only goal on last 24 power plays- they're 10-2 at home in playoffs, with last three home games all going to OT. Bruins are 5-4 when playoff game goes over- they won last seven that stayed under the total.




NHL

Saturday, June 22

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
BOSTON vs. CHICAGO
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games


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NHL

Saturday, June 22

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Bruins at Blackhawks: What bettors need to know
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Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks (-147, 5)

Best-of-seven series tied 2-2.

Corey Crawford did his best to pick up for his ailing glove with a funny quip. On Saturday, the Chicago Blackhawks will look for the goaltender's performance to do the talking on Saturday when they host the Boston Bruins in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final. Crawford has yielded 12 goals in the series - with eight coming from the glove side.

"Last series they were talking about my blocker," Crawford joked on Friday. "Both sides are bad, I guess." The netminder could afford to make light of the situation after defenseman Brent Seabrook scored 9:51 into overtime as the Presidents' Trophy-winning Blackhawks evened the series at two games apiece with 6-5 triumph on Wednesday. Venturing past regulation has been the norm in this series, as three of the four contests have been decided after 60 minutes - with Game 1 spanning into triple overtime.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Boston takes considerable pride in its fourth line - or "Merlot" line, if you will. So, when Gregory Campbell suffered a broken leg while blocking a shot in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final, coach Claude Julien has been left to mix and match players to fill the void. Rookie Carl Soderberg donned the merlot-colored sweater during Friday's practice, while Kaspars Daugavins wore the green jersey which signifies regularly scratched players. "Just trying something else here," Julien said of Soderberg, who hasn't played in the postseason. "I'll make that decision (Saturday). But just (getting) a different look at what that would look like, that's all."

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: Marian Hossa returned after being a late scratch prior to Game 3 by collecting one assist and mustering four shots on goal in just over 19 minutes of ice time on Wednesday. The veteran admitted that he was limited in that contest due to the upper-body injury and even missed practice on Friday. Despite his absence, coach Joel Quenneville admitted that "Hossa is fine" and didn't seem overly concerned. "(We're) very happy to use him. I think everybody has different limitations, but everybody is giving it their all."

TRENDS:

* Bruins are 3-7 in their last 10 Saturday games.
* Under is 5-0 in Bruins’ last five after allowing five goals or more in their previous game.
* Under is 6-1 in Blackhawks’ last seven when their opponent scores five goals or more in their previous game.

OVERTIME

1. Boston's Patrice Bergeron has scored three of his team's four power-play goals versus Chicago. His nine tallies have him tied with fellow C David Krejci for the team lead.

2. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews and RW Patrick Kane were reunited on the same line and scored just over two minutes apart in Game 4.

3. Bruins C Brad Marchand has failed to secure a point in the Stanley Cup final.

[StarDust Bum]

Game 5 - Bruins at 'Hawks

June 21, 2013

Stanley Cup Finals Game 5 Preview

BOSTON BRUINS at CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Sportsbook.ag Line & Total: Chicago -150 & 5 under -145

After tying up the NHL Stanley Cup Finals in a wild Game 4, the Blackhawks return home Saturday to host the Bruins in an crucial Game 5.

This series has already been incredibly close, with three of the four games going to overtime and the teams separated by just one goal. The Blackhawks were able to tie up the series on Wednesday with a 6-5 overtime win, scoring more in one night (six goals) than they had in the first three games combined (five goals). D Brent Seabrook was the hero with the overtime goal at 9:51 of the extra period. Chicago outshot the Bruins by a hefty 47-33 margin in Game 4 and won 49% of the faceoffs, a huge improvement from its 29% faceoffs won in Game 3. The Blackhawks also scored their first power-play goal of the series (1-of-15) on Wednesday, but Boston capitalized on two of its five chances with the man advantage.

Now the series goes back to United Center where Chicago is 10-2 during the postseason. However, the Bruins are 6-3 on the road during these playoffs, including a 2-1 overtime win in Game 2. But there are plenty of trends favoring the Blackhawks to win again, as they are 19-2 coming off a road win this season, including a perfect 9-0 mark when that road win was by a one-goal margin. On the flip side, Boston is just 1-6 off a home loss by a one-goal margin this season. The pick here is CHICAGO to win on its home ice.

Even with allowing six goals on 47 shots (.872 Sv Pct.) on Wednesday, Bruins netminder Tuukka Rask (14-6, 1.83 GAA, .941 Sv Pct. in playoffs) has had a great series so far, saving 161-of-172 shots (.936 Sv Pct., 2.09 GAA). And in his past four road games, Rask has turned aside 147-of-153 shots (.961 Sv Pct.).

There were many offensive heroes for Boston in Game 4, especially C Patrice Bergeron, who netted two goals to give him a series-best four tallies on a team-high 19 shots on goal. Three of those goals have been on the power play, where his team is an excellent 4-for-14 (29%) in the series. LW Milan Lucic also has four points in the series (3 G, 1 A), but three occurred in Game 1, as his goal on Wednesday snapped a two-game point-less skid. But he also delivered a game-high eight hits in the Game 4 defeat. LW Daniel Paille (2 G, 1 A) is the only other multiple-goal scorer for the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals, but he was held without a point and without a shot in Game 4.

Four different players each have three assists and zero goals in the series -- C David Krejci, C Tyler Seguin, D Zdeno Chara and RW Jaromir Jagr. Krejci still leads all NHL players with 24 points (9 G, 15 A) during the postseason, and Chara and Jagr had two helpers each in Game 4. But Jagr, who has 78 career playoff goals, has yet to score a single goal in any of the 20 games during these playoffs. Boston has four players that have logged at least 27 minutes per game during the NHL Finals, including two that are over 30 minutes -- D Dennis Seidenberg (33:46 avg. ice time) and Chara (32:31). Seidenberg has blocked eight shots in his past two games, and also delivered seven hits in Wednesday's loss.

Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (14-7, 1.86 GAA, .931 Sv Pct. in playoffs) saved just 28-of-33 shots (.848 Sv Pct.) in the Game 4 win, but his numbers are still decent for his first Stanley Cup Finals series where he's posted a .920 Sv Pct. and 2.29 GAA. Crawford has been outstanding at home during this postseason though, going 10-2 with a .938 Sv Pct. and 1.58 GAA.

Thirteen different Chicago players scored at least one point during Game 4, but only three had multiple points -- RW Patrick Kane (1 G, 1 A), LW Brian Bickell (2 A) and D Michal Rozsival (2 A). C Patrick Sharp is the only Blackhawks skater with more than one goal in the series, tallying two goals on his series-most 25 shots on goal. Sharp leads all scorers in the postseason with 10 goals, and it was his power-play tally in the third period on Wednesday that snapped the Bruins streak of killing off 30 straight penalties.

In terms of the Stanley Cup Finals, only three Chicago players have at least three points -- Kane (1 G, 2 A), Rozsival (0 G, 3 A) and C Dave Bolland (1 G, 2 A). The Blackhawks really need more out of C Jonathan Toews (1 G, 0 A in series) and LW Marian Hossa (0 G, 2 A in series), considering Toews has 10 points (2 G, 8 A) in the playoffs, while Hossa has 16 points (7 G, 9 A) in this postseason.

Like Boston, Chicago also has four players that have logged more than 27 minutes per game of ice time during the Stanley Cup Finals. D Duncan Keith has been the biggest workhorse with a hefty 34:57 of ice time per game, in which he's been able to post a +4 rating. Three other defensemen -- Niklas Hjalmarsson (28:35 avg. ice time), Brent Seabrook (28:04) and Johnny Oduya (27:03) -- have also played a ton of minutes, but only Seabrook (+1 rating) has a positive rating in the series.

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Playoff Results - Stanley Cup

June 19, 2013


Stanley Cup Finals

-- Home teams went 2-2
-- Favorites went 2-2
-- Favorites that won finished 1-1 on the puck-line
-- The 'Under' went 2-2

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result

Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Boston Chicago (-155) 4-3 (3OT) Favorite Over

Saturday, June 15, 2013
Boston (+125) Chicago 2-1 (OT) Underdog Under

Monday, June 17, 2013
Chicago Boston (-130) 2-0 Favorite Under

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Chicago (+120) Boston 6-5 (OT) Underdog Over

Saturday, June 22, 2013
Boston Chicago - - -

Monday, June 24, 2013
Chicago Boston - - -

*Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Boston Chicago -

[StarDust Bum]

Saturday, June 22

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Boston - 8:00 PM ET Chicago -147 500

Chicago - Over 5 500

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Dunkel

Chicago at Boston
The Blackhawks look to follow up their 3-1 win in Game 5 and build on their 16-7 record in their last 23 games after a win by two goals or more in the previous game. Chicago is the pick (+110) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+110). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JUNE 24

Game 61-62: Chicago at Boston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.704; Boston 12.723
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-130); 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+110); Over




NHL
Long Sheet

Monday, June 24

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CHICAGO (51-12-0-7, 109 pts.) at BOSTON (42-18-0-9, 93 pts.) - 6/24/2013, 8:05 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
BOSTON is 4-3 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
BOSTON is 4-3-0 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+2.5 Units)

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NHL
Armadillo's Write-Up

Monday, June 24

Bruins are 7-1 at home in playoffs, with four of last five staying under total; in Chicago's last 15 road games, under is 11-2-2. Five games in this series, three OT finishes, and now Bergeron (internal injuries) spent Saturday nite in the hospital, probably won't play here; Boston is down couple key guys after Campbell got broken leg earlier in playoffs. Bruins are 5-4 when playoff game goes over- they won seven oif last eight that stayed under the total. Chicago is 5-0 so far in playoffs when game goes over total, 5-5 if game stays under, 3-2 if total pushes. Bruins won 11 of last 15 games overall (4-3 in OT games) since being down 4-1 at the 11:00 mark in Game 7 of 1st round vs Toronto- they were also down in Finals two years ago, but beat Vancouver in Games 6-7 to win Stanley Cup. Bruins need a win here to force Game 7 in Chicago Wednesday night. Hawks won 10 of last 13 games since being down 3-1 in Detroit series. Chicago has one goal on last 26 power plays, while Bruins didn't even have a power play in Game 5. Over last decade, Boston has been down 3-2 in four playoff series; they won Game 6 in all four of those series.




NHL

Monday, June 24

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Trend Report
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8:00 PM
CHICAGO vs. BOSTON
Chicago is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 7 games when playing Boston
Boston is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 7 games


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NHL

Monday, June 24

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Blackhawks at Bruins: What bettors need to know
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Chicago Blackhawks at Boston Bruins (-125, 4.5)

Blackhawks lead best-of-seven series 3-2.

The Boston Bruins have been here before - facing elimination prior to hosting Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final against the reigning Presidents' Trophy winner. After responding admirably with a pair of wins against Vancouver in 2011, the Bruins will look to take the first step in that regard on Monday when they host the Chicago Blackhawks. Adding to Boston's uphill climb is the uncertain status of two-way center Patrice Bergeron, who is listed as day-to-day with what coach Claude Julien referred to as a "body" injury.

"I don't know if he will skate (Monday)," Julien said of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy recipient. "He may. That's what day-to-day is. I'm trying to be as clear as I can be here." Chicago has its own injury issue to address as captain Jonanthan Toews sat out the entire third period of the team's 3-1 triumph in Game 5 with an upper-body injury. "Johnny is doing much better today," coach Joel Quenneville said the reigning Selke Trophy winner. "He's progressed, and we're optimistic that he'll be playing (Monday) night."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, RDS

ABOUT THE BLACKHAWKS: With two goals on Saturday, Patrick Kane has scored seven times in as many games to seize a share of the NHL lead. Game 6 of the Stanley Cup brings about fond memories for the 24-year-old Kane, who beat then-Philadelphia goaltender Michael Leighton from a sharp angle to ignite a wild celebration in 2010. Kane's knack for the big goal isn't lost on his teammates. "That's the type of player he is," defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson said. "When it comes down to the wire in big games, that's when he wants the puck. That's when he wants to score the big goals."

ABOUT THE BRUINS: Should Bergeron be a spectator, Julien can take solace in knowing that rookie Carl Soderberg stepped up admirably in his absence on Saturday. Brad Marchand, however, has struggled mightily in the Stanley Cup final as the Nova Scotia native is still searching for his first point. "Pucks aren't finding their way into the net and I'm not making many plays," Marchand admitted on Sunday. That's a far cry from his five-goal effort versus the Canucks in 2011.

TRENDS:

* Bruins are 7-1 in their last eight home games.
* Under is 11-2-2 in Blackhawks’ last 15 road games.
* Under is 4-1 in Bruins’ last five home games.

OVERTIME

1. Kane is tied with Boston C David Krejci and Bergeron with an NHL-leading nine goals. He also shares top honors with Bruins RW Nathan Horton with 19 points.

2. Boston captain Zdeno Chara was on the ice for all three of Chicago's goals in Game 5 and eight of the last nine.

3. Should the Bruins win on Monday, the series shifts back to the United Center for Game 7 on Wednesday.


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NHL

Monday, June 24

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Bruins favorites in Game 6; big series underdogs
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The Chicago Blackhawks have moved from -130 Stanley Cup Final series favorites to -340 after their 3-1 victory in Game 5 Saturday.

The Blackhawks now have a commanding 3-2 series lead, but are +115 underdogs for Game 6 Monday night in Boston, which is now a +280 series dog.

Game 5 winners in a 2-2 Cup Final scenario have gone on to win the Cup nearly 70 percent of the time since 1939.

Chicago captain Jonathan Toews sustained an upper-body injury Saturday night after taking a hit in the third period and is questionable for Monday. Toews has two goals and 12 points for Chicago in 22 playoff games this season.

The Bruins responded with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs in their only previous elimination game this year. The B’s erased a three-goal deficit late in the third period to force overtime and set up Patrice Bergeron for the game-winner.

Bergeron suffered an undisclosed injury during Game 5 and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He has since been released, but his status for Game 6 is unknown. The 27-year-old has been a key cog for the Bruins, netting nine goals and adding six assists this postseason.

Boston is 8-3 in elimination games over the past five seasons (6-4-1 over/under).

[StarDust Bum]

NHL
Short Sheet

Monday, June 24

Stanley Cup Finals, Game Six (Chicago Leads Series, 3-2)
Chicago at Boston, 8:05 ET NBC
Chicago: 30-8 SU after 1 or more consecutive unders
Boston: 39-68 SU revenging 2 straight losses where opponent scored 3 or more goals

[StarDust Bum]

Playoff Results - Stanley Cup

June 22, 2013


Stanley Cup Finals

-- Home teams went 3-2
-- Favorites went 3-2
-- Favorites that won finished 2-1 on the puck-line
-- The 'Under' went 3-2

Away Home Score ATS Result Total Result


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Boston Chicago (-155) 4-3 (3OT) Favorite Over


Saturday, June 15, 2013

Boston (+125) Chicago 2-1 (OT) Underdog Under


Monday, June 17, 2013

Chicago Boston (-130) 2-0 Favorite Under


Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Chicago (+120) Boston 6-5 (OT) Underdog Over


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Boston Chicago (-155) 3-1 Favorite Under


Monday, June 24, 2013

Chicago Boston - - -


*Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Boston Chicago - -

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Preview: Blackhawks (0-0) at Bruins (0-0)

Date: June 24, 2013 8:00 PM EDT


BOSTON (AP) - Jonathan Toews watched the end of the fifth game of the Stanley Cup Final from the Blackhawks bench, unable to play after a hit to his head.

Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was in a Chicago hospital after leaving the United Center by ambulance.

As the Stanley Cup Final approaches a sixth and potential clinching game on Monday night, the attention shifted from the players on the ice to the ones who might not make it there, including two of the top forwards and biggest stars in the series.

``It's not the best situation for either team,' Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask said Sunday after both teams flew back to Boston. ``But it's a tough sport, and injuries happen. When you leave it all out there to help your team win, that's all part of the game.'

Bergeron was injured in the second period of Game 5 on Saturday night, which the Blackhawks won 3-1 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. He made two brief appearances on the ice in the third period but something was obviously wrong and he was unable to complete either shift.

Toews, who won the Selke Award as the NHL's top defensive forward - Bergeron was a finalist - missed the entire third period after a shot to the head from Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

``They're both great players,' Chicago winger Patrick Sharp said. ``I think any coach in the league, any player in the league would like to have those guys on their team. They take pride in taking faceoffs, playing well away from the puck, making their linemates better, (they're) both big parts of the locker room.

``I can't speak for what Boston is dealing with, with Bergeron. I know I don't need to say much about Jonathan. I think everyone knows what we think of him in our locker room. Hopefully we can have him back for (Monday).'

Bergeron, who was taken to the hospital for observation, was released later Saturday night and rejoined his teammates for a team meal.

``He was crushing some food,' Bruins forward Brad Marchand said Sunday.

Bergeron was on the team flight back from Chicago. After the Bruins' bus arrived at the TD Garden in the afternoon, he walked without crutches or assistance to a car and was driven away.

``He's good. He came back with us and everything so hopefully he can play,' Marchand said. ``He looked really good today. He had a nice suit on, very dashing. Obviously, he's a big part of the team and hopefully he can play.'

The Blackhawks lost Toews after Boychuk knocked him down in the slot, making contact with his head. Boychuk wasn't penalized, and NHL spokesman John Dellapina said on Sunday that the league reviewed the hit and there will be no supplemental discipline.

``I think they said it was clean, wasn't it? Then I agree with them,' Bruins coach Claude Julien said. ``I'm not going to hide from that. If it wasn't a clean hit - I've been a guy that supported those kind of things that we need to get out of the game. But it was a clean hit.'

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville alluded to the contact with the head but then said, ``I'm not going to go there.'

Toews was tied with Patrick Kane for the Blackhawks' team lead with 23 goals during the regular season. Since being reunited with Kane on Chicago's top line in Game 4, Chicago has rallied to take the lead in the best-of-seven series. Before he was knocked out of the Game 5, Toews assisted on both of Kane's goals.

``He's our leader,' Chicago defenseman Johnny Oduya said. ``You know, he's one of those guys, and when he's full-speed he gives everything he's got every game. That's something that is tough to replace.'

Quenneville said Toews was doing much better and the team is optimistic he will be able to play in Game 6.

``We'll see how he is. I think the progress today, he's doing real good,' Quenneville said. ``We'll visit in the morning, and he seemed fine. So nothing has changed. Nothing is different. We'll keep an eye on him, and we'll go from there.'

With or without Toews and Bergeron, the Blackhawks have a chance to clinch their second Stanley Cup title in four seasons on Monday night in Boston. If they lose, the series returns to Chicago for a decisive seventh game on Wednesday.

And that, Julien said, is why he wasn't worried about whether Toews will play or not.

``I think I should be looking in my backyard and make sure I've got my guys playing tomorrow before I start worrying about the game plan with them,' he said. ``Right now we know it's up to us to ... bring our `A' game if we want a chance to win. That part of it should be more important than who they have and don't have in their lineup.'

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SERIES AT A GLANCE

GAME 1

Bruins at Blackhawks
Wed, Jun 12 Final 3 to 4
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 2
Bruins at Blackhawks
Sat, Jun 15 Final 2 to 1
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 3
Blackhawks at Bruins
Mon, Jun 17 Final 0 to 2
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 4
Blackhawks at Bruins
Wed, Jun 19 Final 6 to 5
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 5
Bruins at Blackhawks
Sat, Jun 22 Final 1 to 3
Boxscores • Recaps

GAME 6
Blackhawks at Bruins
Mon, Jun 24 - 8:00PM EDT

GAME 7
Bruins at Blackhawks
Wed, Jun 26 - 8:00PM EDT

[StarDust Bum]

Monday, June 24

Game Score Status Pick Amount

Chicago - 8:00 PM ET Chicago +111 500 POD # 1


Boston - Over 5 500 POD # 2