Boston vs Chicago Betting: Odds Favor Bruins, History Favors Blackhawks

Leading the Stanley Cup Finals heading into Game 4 has been a kiss of death in recent years, a stat that heartens Chicago Blackhawk bettors tonight in Boston.

In the past four seasons, the team leading the NHL championship round has lost Game 4. With the Bruins leading the series 2-1, history tells us that Chicago could win here, even if the odds say otherwise.

Boston was sitting as -135 moneyline favorites earlier today at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark.com. A few had the price lower at -130.

But the Los Angeles Kings were looking for a sweep last year before losing Game 4 to New Jersey. A year earlier, the Bruins were trailing Vancouver 2-1 in the 2011 Finals when they won Game 4.

In 2010, the same Blackhawks who trail today were leading the Flyers 2-1. They lost Game 4 as well. Ditto in 2009, when the Penguins won Game 4 while trailing the Red Wings in the series.

"It's far from a definitive betting angle, but it is something to consider for hockey fans tonight," according to Jack Randall, a hockey analyst at Odds Shark.

"Put it together with Marian Hossa's questionable status and the fact Chicago is just 3-6 SU in their past nine road games and you are building a case for the Bruins to win here."

Boston locked down Chicago in a 2-0 Game 3 performance. Goalie Tuukka Rask has now given up one goal in total in his past three home games. He looks unbeatable at times, giving rise to tempting NHL Finals odds that they could run the table and win the series 4-1.

The Bruins have won seven straight at home, including back-to-back shutouts of the league's highest-scoring teams (Chicago and Pittsburgh). They have allowed two goals in four home games.

Chicago, meanwhile, is in danger of losing three straight for the second time in these playoffs. They lost three to Detroit, before rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to advance.

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.