NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Predators vs Blackhawks – Game One
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Team Records:
Nashville: 47-29-6
Chicago: 52-22-8
Tonight, 10:35pm
Sportsbook odds: Predators: +210 +1.5 (-145) Over 5 (-145)
Blackhawks: -250 -1.5 (+125) Under 5 (+125)
Predators vs. Blackhawks Preview
The Nashville Predators will attempt to knock off one of the favourites to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup, the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks won the season series convincingly 4-2 but all of the games were completed in the first three months of the season. Things have changed for both teams.
They both enter the post season with their own reasons why they should advance beyond the first round.
The Nashville Predators continue to be one of the most consistent teams in the NHL. They are very successful despite having one of the lowest payrolls in the game and in spite of the absence of a true superstar on the team.
The Predators have yet to win a playoff series even though they have made four previous appearances in the post season. They come into the playoffs having gone 11-4 in their last 15 games and owning the league’s fifth best road record during the regular season.
The Nashville Predators are not a team that possesses a ton of flash; they are a team that will beat you playing a complete team game. In fact their two top scorers tied with 51 points on the season. Henrik Sedin won the scoring title with 112 points! The Predators also posess one of the up and coming goaltenders in the NHL. Pekka Rinne has quietly put together a terrific season and won 10 of his last 14 starts.
The Chicago Blackhawks have enormous playoff aspirations. A deep playoff run is expected and based on the makeup of the team, it is probable.
The Blackhawks has the third best overall record, the third best home record and the fourth best road record in the NHL. They also had the third best offense in the league. Chicago went 6-3-1 in their last 10 games.
The Blackhawks were led all season by their young dynamic forward duo. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews were solid all season and bring energy, speed and an incredible desire to win to the rink every night – their intensity is always difficult to match. The defensive corp. that was the envy of the NHL has a different look than it did early in the season.
Injuries to Brian Campbell and Kim Johnsson have left the Hawks a bit vulnerable on the back end.
The goaltending issues that were supposed to plague Chicago never really materialized with Antti Niemi stepping up and playing well down the stretch.
Those who are sceptical about Niemi’s abilities should take a look at the 6-0-1 record that he recorded in his last 7 games and the 1.97 goals against average that he posted over that span.
The Nashville Chicago series has all the makings of a tortoise and the hare matchup. Chicago, the hare should get off to a quick start and win Game 1. Nashville, the tortoise will come on at some time during the series but not right off the bat.
NHL Betting Trends:
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Nashville’s last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville’s last 7 games when playing on the road against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago’s last 7 games when playing at home against Nashville
Nashville is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Nashville is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Nashville
Chicago is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing Nashville
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks
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