2011 NHL Friday Night Hockey – Free Predictions: Senators vs Blackhawks
It’s NHL hockey betting season once again. Hockey Gambling fans sure are getting their money’s worth from the free nhl picks we give out here at Capperspicks.com.
Ottawa Senators (16-19-5) at Chicago Blackhawks (21-18-3)
Date/Time: Friday, January 7, 2011, 8:30 PM ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: RDS, SNET-E (HD), CSN-CH (HD)
Senators vs. Blackhawks Betting Lines from Sportsbook.com
Spread: Ottawa +1.5 (-190): Chicago -1.5 (+160)
Moneyline: Ottawa +165: Chicago -200
Over/Under: 5.5 goals
CLICK HERE FOR our LIVE NHL ATS Betting Stats For This Game —>
CANADIAN? CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT BODOG.CA SPORTSBOOK —–>
Two of the more disappointing teams of the season square off in Chicago on Friday night both having lost in their last game. For the Senators, it was an embarrassing 5-1 loss the brutal Leafs and for the Hawks, it was a loss to a Western Conference foe. It should be interesting to see which struggling team emerges.
The Ottawa Senators have lost three straight games and the last five of seven. Who knew that Jason Spezza would be that valuable! Since Spezza went down the Senators have been in a tailspin. They are 29th in the NHL in scoring with just 2.3 goals per game.
The Senators defense isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire either. They are 24th in the league and they give up an average of 3.0 goals per game. Brian Elliot has been bad between the pipes for the Sens and is 0-1-1 in his last two games with a 5.39 goals against average.
The Chicago Blackhawks are a team waiting to break out but just can’t seem to be getting over the hump. Finally healthy, hopes were that all the excuses would be put to rest but is just hasn’t happened. The fact is that is the playoffs started today, their 10th place standing in the West would keep them out of the playoffs.
Patrick Kane is in a slump offensively and so is Marion Hossa. Duncan Keith hasn’t recorded a point in his last five games. Still, the offense is 7th in the NHL.
Corry Crawford should start in goal on Friday. He is 1-1 -0 in his last three games with a 3.05 goals against average but it’s better than Marty Turco!
Betting Prediction: Maybe the Hawks should just resign themselves to being a good “B Level Team”. They are certainly not in the caliber of Vancouver, Detroit, and Pittsburgh etc. But a good B Team is good enough to beat a “Middle of the Road C Team”.
Trends:
Under is 13-3 in OTT last 16 vs. Central.
OTT are 3-12 in their last 15 Fri. games.
Under is 6-2 in OTT last 8 vs. Western Conference.
Over is 16-5 in CHI last 21 vs. Eastern Conference.
CHI are 61-30 in their last 91 home games.
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks -200
