Don’t bet on it.

In case you missed it, things already got underway in the West as far as the conference finals in the 2009 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs is concerned with the Detroit Red Wings humbling the Chicago Blackhawks with a devastating 5-2 beatdown.

Inexperience was clearly on display as the Detroit Red Wings took advantage of the Blackhawks’ ineptitude. And to make matters worse for Chicago, a former comrade did most of the damage, ONLY this time, he was no longer an inexperienced Blackhawk but a Red Wing determined to make the most of his second opportunity.

Four years ago, when the league emerged from the lockout season, it was clear to Daniel Cleary that the Chicago Blackhawks didn’t want him anymore.

The Red Wings gave him another shot and four years later, he matched his playoff career high with two goals to lead the Red Wings to a 5-2 win against the very team that drafted him in Game 1 of the 2009 NHL Western Conference Finals where a spot in the Stanley Cup finals is at stake.

”I came here as a tryout,” Daniel Cleary said. ”They gave me a chance to be a player.”

Daniel Cleary only adds more flavor to this rivalry between Detroit and Chicago. The last time the Blackhawks won a Stanley Cup playoff series without having home ice advantage came in the 1992 Norris Division finals against Detroit.

Chicago ranked 22nd among the NHL’s 30 teams with 1,520 hits, 205 less than the Canucks. The Blackhawks ranked only 27th in hits during the regular season but are ranked third in the postseason.

Can the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 2? SPORTSBETTING.COM has the odds.

Chicago Blackhawks +2.5

Detroit Red Wings -2.5

Want more odds? Visit SPORTSBETTING.COM for more NHL Playoffs odds. Want to watch the NHL Playoffs live? Get NHL Playoffs tickets online now.

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