NHL Western Conference Final preview: Blackhawks vs. Kings

The four remaining NHL teams in this year’s playoffs are the last four Stanley Cup champs. That’s the first time that's happened since 1945. The Chicago Blackhawks overcame a 3-1 series deficit to slip by the Detroit Red Wings in Game 7 Wednesday night while the Los Angeles Kings also needed seven games to dispatch the San Jose Sharks.

No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Kings

Season series: Blackhawks won 2-1 SU, 2-0-1 over/under

Series prices: Blackhawks -160, Kings +140

Why bet the Blackhawks: The Blackhawks have won three straight games and have some serious momentum heading into their series with the defending Stanley Cup champs. Corey Crawford has been superb in goal for Chicago, posting a .948 save percentage and 1.50 goals-against average in the last four  contests of the conference semifinals. The Blackhawks' penalty kill has yielded just one power play goal on 41 opportunities in 12 playoff games. That is by far the best percentage in this year’s postseason at 97.6 percent.

Why bet the Kings: The Kings are the defending champs and goaltender Jonathan Quick is reproducing the kind of numbers that earned him Conn Smythe honors last season. Quick leads all goalies in goals-against average (1.50), save percentage (.948) and shutouts (3). Quick’s stellar play has under bettors laughing all the way to the bank to date. Los Angeles is 2-10-1 over/under entering the conference finals and is allowing a league-low 1.54 goals per game. The Kings also have a distinct size advantage in this series. The average weight of the 12 forwards expected to suit up for Game 1 is 211 pounds.