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There is a good chance that the playoff series between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Phoenix Coyotes is going to go seven games. It is not so much that these two teams are evenly matched, it is the way that each goalie has been playing. In game two, Phoenix goalie Mike Smith faced 50 shots and allowed only four goals. Phoenix lost the game, but Smith made sure that the Coyotes stayed in it. At the other end, Chicago goalie Corey Crawford has suddenly found his groove and is playing very well. The Blackhawks rely primarily on offense to win games. The Coyotes prefer to grind out a game. The contrast is making for an interesting series. Click here to see the odds on each team in the Chicago versus Phoenix series

On the other side of the puck, the Blackhawks are having no problems finding its offense while the Phoenix Coyotes are still struggling a bit to find its scoring touch. Most price per head bookie experts would hardly call an average of 33 shots per game so far in this series “struggling.” But the Coyotes are having problems getting quality shots on goal. The other problem Phoenix is having is that it is allowing over 45 shots per game against. That means that the Phoenix team is chasing Chicago around in the second and third periods instead of playing good positional hockey. The Coyotes need to get back on its feet and start pushing back if it wants to win this series.

Phoenix Coyotes

The key to this series for Phoenix is goalie Mike Smith, but the team has to start pushing back to give Smith some room to work. Phoenix cannot win this series if it is regularly allowing 45 shots or more against per game, and it cannot win if it is not bringing the play to Chicago in the third period. A sportsbook review of the first two games of the series shows that Phoenix comes out strong in the first period, but then starts to fade away by the middle of the second period. Phoenix will need a more balanced effort if it wants to stay competitive with the Blackhawks through the course of the series.

Chicago Blackhawks

Goaltender Corey Crawford has shown during the season that he is unable to maintain a pace of 30 or more shots against per game for very long. Crawford finished the regular season with no shutouts, which means he is not consistent at finishing games. The Blackhawks are playing just as everyone expected it to. Chicago is carrying the play to the Coyotes and not worrying so much about defense. It worked early in the series, but the tide can turn quickly if Chicago does not figure out how to play defense.

The Bottom Line

NHL fans in Phoenix have seen what the Coyotes can do and no one expects this series to go only five games. If Chicago does not start putting up some defense against the Phoenix attack, then this series could quickly turn against the Blackhawks.

BSNblog Free Pick: Phoenix Coyotes