Betting On NHL Hockey?
Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Vancouver Canucks taking on the Chicago Blackhawks April 2 at United Centre. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.
Two teams that appear safe to appear in this year’s playoffs look to cement their playoff positioning when the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks do battle in the windy city on Thursday night.
Daily NHL Hockey Odds
Vancouver (45-27-3-2) at Chicago (46-24-3-3)
When: 8:30 PM ET, Thursday, April 2, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: SNP, CSN-CH
Canucks NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -215 +140
Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +185 -155
NHL Over Under Odds: Under 5½ -129
***2015 NHL BONUSES***
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview
Both teams have won two straight games ahead of Thursday’s showdown. The Canucks have held the edge of the Hawks so far this year – they have won both matchups of the season and are 4-0-3 in its past seven regular season games at Chicago. The Canucks have also won five straight games on the road.
[dfads params=’groups=64160&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Vancouver Canucks won the first two games on their current difficult four-game road trip. Wins in St. Louis and Nashville were mighty impressive – a third win in a row on Thursday night would be a tremendous feat.
The Canucks have been scoring some goals lately. They have netted 24 goals in their last seven games – eight non-shootout goals in their two games on the road trip. Radim Vrbata remains red-hot. He had a goal and an assist Tuesday and now has 11 points in his last seven games.
Alex Burrows, who may be suspended after an ugly hit in Nashville, has three points in two games, Chris Higgins has five points in five games, Chris Tanev has four points in three games and Dan Hamhuis has three points in three games.
Daniel Sedin has 10 points in nine games and has four goals in Vancouver’s last three games at Chicago – he and brother Henrik have combined for seven assists in those contests.
[dfads params=’groups=16&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The play of Eddie Lack has been a good surprise for the Canucks – especially on the road. In his last five starts away from home Lack is 4-0-1 with a 1.94 GAA. Overall, Lack has made most forget about Ryan Miller. He is 8-3-2 in his 14 games with a 2.24 GAA and .928 save percentage.
The Hawks have recovered nicely from a two game losing streak last week and have won two straight games ahead of Thursday’s clash.
The Hawks currently sit five points behind first-place Nashville with six games remaining and one point behind second place St. Louis – Chicago has two games in hand.
Every point down the stretch is crucial in terms of playoff seeding.
Chicago enters off wins over Winnipeg and LA – two hungry teams, and will face another Thursday night. The offense has been getting it done lately- the Hawks have scored eight goals in their last two games.
Marian Hossa has three points in the last two games, and three goals and an assist in his past three against the Canucks, Brandon Saad has four points in his last four games, Patrick Sharp has eight points in nine games and Johnny Oduya has three points in his last three games.
The Hawks aren’t quite the same without Patrick Kane in the lineup but the depth of this team has been on full display since the injury of one of their top players.
Backup goaltender Scott Darling got the start last time out in LA – chances are that we will see Corey Crawford in between the pipes for Chicago – and that may not necessarily be a good thing.
[dfads params=’groups=64161&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Crawford is 1-1-0 with a 5.53 GAA and .851 save percentage in his last two starts and hasn’t fared all that well against Vancouver in recent meetings.
NHL Gambling Trends
• Over is 13-4-5 in VAN last 22 vs. Central.
• VAN are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Central.
• Under is 5-2-1 in CHI last 8 vs. Pacific.
• CHI are 7-3 in their last 10 overall.
• CHI are 85-38 in their last 123 home games.
• Over is 5-2-1 in the last 8 meetings in Chicago.
• Under is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
The Vancouver Canucks look about as confident a team as there is in the game right now – they are simply not getting rattled no matter the situation. Armed with one of the best road records in the NHL, expect the Canucks to keep the road roll going.
NHL Betting 4* Free Play
Their history in this building is good and their current form is terrific.
Vancouver Canucks +140
I just can’t resist the Canucks at +140 in this one – they just look too unflappable against top competition right now!
CappersPicks.com NHL Betting and gambling site provides the BEST Online hockey predictions for you to bet on for the NHL hockey season! Stick with us all season long!
[dfads params=’groups=65112&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
