Devils vs Blackhawks NHL Line & Handicapping
Devils Try to Knock off the Champs – Jersey Travels to Chicago Monday Night
The resurgent New Jersey Devils travel to the Windy City Monday night to take on the Chicago Blackhawks who will be eager to get back on the ice after surrendering a two goal lead only to lose in a shootout Friday to the Vancouver Canucks.
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The Devils enter Monday’s game playing their best hockey of the season while the Blackhawks have stumbled just a tad recently going 5-3-2 in their last 10 games overall.
New Jersey (15-15-2-5) at Chicago (25-7-2-4)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Monday, December 23, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: MSG PLUS 2, CSN-CH
Devils vs. Hawks Betting Lines
New Jersey Devils +1½ -160 +184 Ov 5½ +114
Chicago Blackhawks -1½ +140 -203 Un 5½ -126
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The Devils have climbed out of the hole that they occupies early in the season and now sit third in the Metropolitan Division – in striking distance of the #8 seed in the East – incredible.
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One of the best stories in hockey belongs to the Devils. Jaromir Jagr, the ageless wonder is turning back the clock and leading his team offensively. The 41 year old is averaging nearly a point per game this season and has four points in his last two games. He and the Devils have found another gear offensively going 3-0-1 in their past four games and scoring 15 goals over that span – twice scoring five times in a single game. Quite an uptick for a team that is averaging just 2.43 goals per game.
Devils defenseman Andy Greene, who scored the overtime-winner against Washington on Saturday, has two goals and three assists in his past three games, Dainius Zubrus has seven points in seven games and Marek Zidlicky has two points in his last two games. Everything is going well for the Devils at the moment except for on…
Defense and goaltending continue to be a bit of an issue. Although the Devils are surrendering just 2.40 goals per game, the goaltenders have struggled of late. Corey Schneider, who could get the call Monday, is just 0-2-1 in his last three starts with a 3.00 GAA and .868 save percentage.
The Chicago Blackhawks get a mulligan for their loss to the Vancouver Canucks Friday. Uncharacteristically, the team went 0-for-4 on the power play and coughed up a two goal lead in the loss. But the Hawks are still the deepest, most talented team in the NHL and are 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
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Offensively the Hawks continue to be the best in the league averaging 3.58 goals per game. Patrick Kane looks like the most dominant player in the game and has an 11 game points streak. He has 14 points in his last seven games, Patrick Sharp has 10 points in seven games, Marion Hossa has six points in five games, Kris Versteeg has eight points in nine games, Brent Seabrook has eight points in eight games and Duncan Keith has seven points in six games and on and on and on.
All four lines contribute and all four pose matchup nightmares for opposing teams.
With Corey Crawford still out due to a lower-body injury, Antti Raanta has picked up the slack. He is 2-0-1 in his last three starts with a very good 1.30 GAA and .946 save percentage.
Dave’s FREE NHL Betting Prediction
A few trends to consider:
• Under is 21-7-4 in NJ last 32 vs. Central.
• NJ are 10-27 in their last 37 road games.
• Under is 38-15-9 in NJ last 62 Mon. games.
• CHI are 39-14 in their last 53 home games.
• CHI are 25-10 in their last 35 Mon. games.
• CHI are 77-32 in their last 109 overall.
• NJ are 12-3-1 in the last 16 meetings.
• Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Chicago.
New Jersey has done surprisingly well in this series – 12-3-1 in the last 15 meetings. Despite their recent hot streak however, they are coming into a tough building to play a team that will be out to avenge a loss Friday night. The Hawks rarely lose two straight, let alone on home ice.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks -203
