Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 1 Betting Odds – Stanley Cup Finals

Carrie Stroup here with your Blackhawks vs. Lightning Game 1 betting odds for the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.

Stanley Cup Finals Game 1

Sportsbook.ag Line: Chicago +100, Tampa Bay -120, Total: 5.0

The Blackhawks’ quest for a third championship in the past six seasons begins when they face the Lightning in Tampa Bay Wednesday.

The Blackhawks and Lightning are both coming into this series after playing Game 7s in their respective conference finals. Chicago had no problem defeating Anaheim in its game, winning 5-3 as a road underdog. The Blackhawks have now won three of their past four contests heading into this one.

The Lightning, meanwhile, defeated the Rangers 2-0 in New York in Game 7.  Tampa was a relatively large underdog on the road in that game and has now won two of its past three games heading into the Stanley Cup.

These teams met twice during the regular season and the home team won in each meeting. The Lightning have been dominant at home against the Blackhawks over the years, winning four straight games against Chicago in Amalie Arena. The last time the Blackhawks won in that building was Feb. 17, 2009. Chicago, however, is 10-2 ATS after scoring four goals or more in two straight games this season. The Lightning will be undaunted though, as they are 15-5 ATS after playing a game where three or fewer total goals were scored this season. Both teams enter this game close to full strength.

The Blackhawks were able to escape a grueling series against the Ducks last round and now have another chance to win the Stanley Cup. C Jonathan Toews (9 G, 9 A, 18 PTS in playoffs) got hot at the right time for his team, racking up six points in the final four games of the series. He scored some timely goals for his team and must continue to be active in the offensive zone in this series.

RW Marian Hossa (4 G, 9 A, 13 PTS in playoffs) enters this series after scoring a goal in back-to-back games against the Ducks. Hossa is one of the best scorers this team has and will need to play well offensively, as he’s going to be going up against a Lightning team that can put up goals in a hurry.

RW Patrick Kane (10 G, 10 A, 20 PTS in playoffs) is the most talented player that Chicago has and his speed will give Tampa Bay a taste of its own medicine. He’ll need to find his touch offensively in this series and he should have no problem doing so, as he put up five points in the final two games of the Western Conference Finals.

Ds Duncan Keith (2 G, 16 A, 18 PTS in playoffs) and Brent Seabrook (6 G, 4 A, 10 PTS in playoffs) have both been extremely sturdy in this series. They’ll need to be ready to play against a Tampa team that is extremely fast and very dangerous in the open ice.

G Corey Crawford (9-4, 2.56 GAA, 9.19 SV% in playoffs) can’t afford to have any mental lapses in this series. If the Lightning score a goal, he must let it go or the team will just pile it on in the blink of an eye.

The key to the series for the Lightning is going to be G Ben Bishop (12-8, 2.15 GAA, 92.0% SV% in playoffs) against Chicago. Bishop posted two shutouts in the final three games of the series against New York, but he also allowed five or more goals in three of the series’ seven games. He is extremely hit-or-miss and must keep his cool in what will be the biggest games that he’s played in his entire career.

Ds Anton Stralman (1 G, 6 A, 7 PTS in playoffs) and Victor Hedman (1 G, 9 A, 10 PTS in playoffs) were both extremely sound in their own zone against the Rangers. They both are capable of creating offensive opportunities and will need to push the tempo against the Blackhawks in this series.

C Tyler Johnson (12 G, 9 A, 21 PTS in playoffs) has been one of the most explosive players in the entire postseason. He is extremely fast and plays with an edge and he must be watched carefully for the entirety of this series.

C Steven Stamkos (7 G, 10 A, 17 PTS in playoffs) is one of the league’s most potent goal scorers and he will be looking to get himself going in this series, as he went scoreless in the final two games against the Rangers.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter