nhl

The Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of winning their first Stanley Cup championship since 1961, thus ending the longest championship drought in the NHL. The honor of the longest length of time without a championship will fall to the last of the Original Six teams without a Cup victory since the NHL expanded in 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The Flyers were the better team on Monday night, but the best player on the ice was Chicago’s 26-year-old Finnish rookie net minder, and that was the difference. Niemi was a wall, stopping 32 of 33 shots to lead the Hawks to a 2-1 victory in Game 2 and a two game lead in the series.

NHL betting has been a wild ride through the first three rounds of the playoffs, especially in the East. The Philadelphia Flyers have fought their way to the Stanley Cup final after being left for dead in the conference semis and rolling over the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern final. Can the Flyers keep that magic going against the powerful Chicago Blackhawks? Bettors will have to wait and see when this series starts up Saturday at the United Center.

Here’s a look at the two conference final series on tap for NHL betting this weekend:

Friday - San Jose Sharks at Chicago Blackhawks

Panic Time in Montreal

Can Blackhawks Back The Sharks Into A Corner?

Can Flyers Protect Home Ice?

The NHL betting action for the openers of the conference finals was wild on Sunday. Hockey fans should expect the same when Game 2 of the Eastern and Western finals take place Tuesday. Here's an inside look at these matchups:

Montreal Canadiens at Philadelphia Flyers

NHL betting dives deep into the playoff schedule when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the San Jose Sharks in the Western Conference final. Here's an inside look at Game 1, which goes at HP Pavilion this weekend.