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NHL Free Pick: Predators vs. Blackhawks Betting Lines & Preview

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Weekly NHL Betting action sees the Nashville Predators taking on the Chicago Blackhawks April 21 at United Center. Cappers Picks provides free NHL handicapping tips all season long.

The Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks get back on the ice in Game 4 of their Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday night with the Preds needing a win to even the series and to gain back home ice advantage.

Daily NHL Hockey Odds

Blackhawks lead series 2-1
Nashville (48-26-5-6) at Chicago (50-29-3-3)
When: 9:30 PM ET, Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: NBCSN, SN, TVA3, FS-TN, CSN-CH
Predators NHL Betting Odds: +1½ -210 +145
Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds: -1½ +180 -161
NHL Over Under Betting Odds: Un 5½ -137
***2015 NHL BONUSES***
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Click here to view today’s… NHL Matchup Angles | NHL Insider Gambling Preview

The Blackhawks, while not dominant in the series thus far have made necessary adjustments along the way and lead Nashville because of it. Backup goaltender Scott Darling is perhaps the biggest move for Chicago – he has been terrific between the pipes while #1 Corey Crawford has certainly struggled. The inclusion of Antoine Vermette and Andrew Desjardins has also paid dividends for the Hawks – they sat out Game 1 and 2 but gave Chicago a huge lift in Game 3.

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It’s not that Nashville has been badly outplayed in the series so far – they lead in a number of statistical categories including shots on goal – they have 128 so far to Chicago’s 98. The problem is that a number of Nashville’s top players are struggling – James Neal is pointless in the three games and Pekka Rinne is 1-1-0 in his last two starts with a 3.05 GAA and .893 save percentage.

The Preds have now lost eight of their last nine games overall with seemingly little optimism as we head into Game 4. With Rinne playing arguably his worst hockey of the season and with top D-Man Shea Weber out for Tuesday’s contest, Nashville looks suspect in the defensive zone against a high-powered Hawks team that looks as though they are warming up for yet another long playoff run. Nashville was unable to contain the top line of Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa and Brandon Saad – not a good sign heading into Game 4.

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Nashville has some players on the Hot List however – Craig Smith has five points in his last two games, Colin Wilson has three points in three games and Filip Forsberg has two points in the series – those two points however came in Game 2. He has been shut out in Nashville’s two losses.

The Chicago Blackhawks seem to be pushing all the right buttons right now. Rookie Scott Darling stopped all 42 shot he faced in Game 1, sat out Game 2 and came back to register 35 saves in Game 3. His save percentage in the two wins in the playoffs is .975 and his goal against average is 0.94 – pretty impressive. Corey Crawford on the other hand is 0-1-1 in his two starts with a horrific 6.75 GAA and horrendous .809 save percentage.

Chicago’s offense has generated nine goals in the series so far. Jonathan Toews has five points in Chicago’s two wins in the series (zero in the loss), Marian Hossa has four points in the series, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith each have three points in the three games and Brent Seabrook who scored on Sunday has two points in his last two games.

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The experience and obvious offensive advantages were obvious before the series but now the Hawks are flexing some defensive and goaltending muscle. Translation – they will be hard to stop on home ice in Game 4.

NHL Gambling Trends

• NAS are 1-9 in their last 10 vs. Central.
• Over is 8-1-3 in NAS last 12 overall.
• NAS are 1-8 in their last 9 overall.
• Under is 6-2-1 in CHI last 9 home games.
• CHI are 87-40 in their last 127 home games.
• NAS are 2-6 in the last 8 meetings in Chicago.
• Home team is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.

The Nashville Predators simply aren’t playing very good hockey right now – they have chosen precisely the wrong time to slump! I expect the Blackhawks to roll again Tuesday.

NHL Betting 4* Free Game 4 Play

Looking at the Moneyline, there isn’t a whole lot of value – my play here is the Over 5 ½ (-137) goals. This has all the makings of a 4-2 or 4-3 game.

Take the Hawks -161 or if you are more daring, take a look at the Over – 5 ½ goals.

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!

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.