Spiegel: Game 7 Preparations & Over/Unders
By Matt Spiegel-
(CBS) The Red Wings and Blackhawks meet tonight for a Game 7, for just the third time ever and the first since 1965.
It's the best way to end this conference rivalry. If a series between these two ever happens again, it would have to be in a Stanley Cup Final.
I'm perhaps unhealthily filled with anticipation for this. Nothing compares to the intensity and tempo of a high-stakes hockey game. There is no time to flip channels or split focus.
An event of this magnitude demands proper preparation.
We consider the snacking options. Me, I need finger food, but it can't be too greasy or saucy - gotta have the Twitter fingers clean. Thinking flavored almonds.
Drinking options abound - what's the proper target buzz? Can't be too tipsy by the third period, and must maintain stamina. Slowly sipped scotch on the rocks, with lots of water between pours.
Tonight, we clear away all realms of responsibility between 7 and 10, or so. Remove all potential distractions. We tell our wives, husbands, or significant others to not expect a sliver of attention while the game is being played. Not even during commercials - I need to use that time to catch up on Twitter, use the bathroom, refill a drink, stretch the legs, tug at underwear, which may have crawled towards awkwardness, maybe even debate a couch position move.
Game on.
And for that game, we offer the Mac & Spiegs over/unders, to somehow further heighten the action.
Results will be given amidst our postgame tomorrow.
Addendum: Mac predicted Toews would have five goals and that Bickell would win it 10 minutes into the first overtime.
So, 6-5 Hawks, says the Big Chief.
1. SHOTS ON GOAL FOR EACH TEAM
- Blackhawks: 203 shots on goal for series. Average of 33.8 per game. 35.6 in home games.
- Red Wings: 172 shots on goal for series. Average of 28.6 per game. 25.6 in road contests.
O/U for shots on goal for Detroit: 27.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS UNDER
O/U for shots on goal for Blackhawks: 34.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS UNDER
2. JONATHAN TOEWS PRODUCTION
- Stars need to be stars. How often do we hear it?
- Slow start to playoffs, coming around quite a bit the last two games.
- 3 points, all assists in first 9 playoff games. 3 points (2 G, 1 A) in last 2 games.
- 20 shots on goal for the series (3.3 per game). 7 in game 3 was his most.
O/U for Toews total Goals, Assists and Shots on Goal: 5.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS OVER
3. BLACKHAWKS POWER PLAY PRODUCTION
- Have scored PP goals in 3 games this series. 3-0 in those games.
- Failed to score PP goals in 3 games this series. 0-3 in those games.
- Hawks have scored on 3 of their last 8 power plays versus Detroit.
O/U for Power Play Goals by Blackhawks tonight: 1.0
MAC OVER SPIEGS UNDER
4. TIME OF GAME-DECIDING GOAL
- The goal that gives the winning team the necessary amount of goals to win the game.
- Not an insurance goal that makes it 3-1 or 4-1 really late. The actual deciding goal.
- Would be the goal that made it 2-1 in a 3-1 or 4-1 final score.
- Times its been scored this series:
G1: 11:58 left in 3rd G2: 3:52 left in 2nd G3: 11:40 left in 2nd G4: 9:57 left in 2nd
G5: 6:52 left in 2nd G6: 10:17 left in 3rd
O/U for time of series deciding goal: 12:00 left in the 3rd
MAC OVER SPIEGS OVER
5. MIKE "DOC" EMRICK VERB CHOICES.
He's got a never ending trove of them. But some specific ones appear occasionally, and delight us.
O/U for Doc's Use of The Following Words:
Typhooned 0.5
MAC UNDER SPIEGS OVER
Sashayed 0.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS OVER
Waffleboarded 1.5
MAC UNDER SPIEGS OVER
Pitchforked 1.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS UNDER
6. PIERRE MCGUIRE IS COMPLETELY IGNORED BY EDDIE O.
We caught this moment in game 6, when a Pierre query towards Edzo (Edzo?? Edzo?!!) was met with 4 seconds of dead, awkward silence. It's obviously a bit subjective, but will we get it again tonight?
O/U for times Eddie O Ignores Pierre McGuire: 1.5
MAC OVER SPIEGS OVER
7. CHICAGO BASEBALL PLAYERS/MANAGERS SHOWN ON CAMERA IN ATTENDANCE
Paul Konerko says he's going. Dale Sveum may do so as well. The Sox and Cubs play afternoon games today and tomorrow to help ensure the possibility. Who will we see? And, who will NBC show?
O/U For Sox And/Or Cubs Players/Coaches Shown On Camera: 4.5
MAC UNDER SPIEGS OVER
Listen to Matt Spiegel on 670 The Score weekdays from 9am–1pm CT on The McNeil & Spiegel Show. Follow him on Twitter at @MattSpiegel670.
