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Detroit Red Wings vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Game 1 Pick | NHL Preview

Red Wings vs Blackhawks NHL Spread/Handicapping

Two Original Six teams meet in the playoffs for the umpteenth time when the “underdog” Detroit Red Wings travel to Chicago to take on the best team in the NHL during the regular season.

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Detroit Red Wings (28-18-4-5) at Chicago Blackhawks (40-7-1-5)
When: 8:00 PM ET, Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: CBC, NBCSN
Wings vs. Hawks Betting Lines from betonline.com
Detroit Red Wings +1½ -175 +175 Ov 5 -105
Chicago Blackhawks -1½ +155 -193 Un 5 -105

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Wings and Blackhawks Set To Resume Storied Rivalry on Wednesday Night

Both teams looked good in their first round series – the Wings knocked off a very tough Anaheim team in seven games while the Hawks manhandled the Minnesota Wild in five. On paper, Game 1 looks like a mismatch but Chicago knows that Detroit won’t be and never has been a pushover in the postseason.

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The Chicago Blackhawks went 4-0-0 against the Detroit Red Wings during the regular season, but the lone game decided in regulation was a 7-1 rout on Easter Sunday in Detroit.

The Detroit Red Wings squeaked into the playoffs with youngsters filling the void from the departed veterans that characterized the team for decades – Nik Lidstrom and Thomas Holmstrom to name a couple. But it was the old guard that got it done offensively against Anaheim and goaltending that held them close night in and night out.

The Blackhawks are going to have to find a way to shut down the Detroit trio of Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Zetterberg scored three times and added five assists in the seven games against Anaheim, Datsyuk has two goals and five assists and Franzen scored three times to pace the Wings while a couple of youngsters came up big as well.

Demian Brunner had two goals and three assists and Justin Abdelkader, despite missing two games due to suspension had two goals and an assist. 10 Wings scored at least one goal in round 1 proving that this team is a whole lot deeper than advertised.

Goaltender Jimmy Howard had his moments against Anaheim but got better as the series rolled on. He is on the cusp of elite status in the NHL and posted an OK 2.74 GAA and .911 save percentage in the first round.

While Detroit’s depth was on display against Anaheim, a look at Chicago’s roster reveals one of the most impressive groups in the NHL – the President’s Trophy is further proof that there are absolutely no holes on this team. Names like Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Patrick Sharp, Bryan Bickell, Michal Handzus and Dave Bolland are as good as it gets – so good that Viktor Stalberg is rumored to be verging on healthy scratch status for Game 1.

The Blackhawks outscored the Wild 17-7, including an 8-1 margin over the final two nights. [ad-4437448]

Chicago was the second best offense in the NHL during the regular season behind Pittsburgh with 149 goals and they carried that to the postseason. Patrick Sharp scored five goals for Chicago in the first round after scoring six in 28 regular-season games, Bryan Bickell added three goals and an assist, Patrick Kane had five assists and Marian Hossa scored three goals and picked up three assists against the Wild.

Jonathan Toews inexplicably struggled with just two assists in round 1 – bet on him waking up in the second round!

Although Chicago’s offense steals a lot of the headlines, their defense was the best in the NHL during the regular season. Corey Crawford was arguably the best keeper in the game during the season and he had a miniscule 1.32 GAA and incredible .950 save percentage in the five games against Minnesota.

Betting Prediction

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A few trends to consider:

• Under is 6-1-3 in DET last 10 road games.
• Under is 7-2-1 in DET last 10 vs. Central.
• DET are 3-9 in their last 12 vs. Central.
• CHI are 41-12 in their last 53 vs. Central.
• CHI are 40-13 in their last 53 overall.
• Over is 6-2-3 in CHI last 11 home games.
• Under is 18-7-1 in the last 26 meetings.
• Road team is 14-6 in the last 20 meetings.

The Detroit Red Wings are a nice story – don’t get me wrong but they are totally overmatched against Chicago. Dave Bolland should return in Game 1 to shadow Pavel Datsyuk and if you shut him down, the Wings are virtually dead.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a sweep in this series and it all begins with a win for the rested Hawks Wednesday night.

Pick: Chicago Blackhawks -193

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.