L.A. Kings at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Odds
Opening Moneyline: L.A. +160 / Chicago -180 O/U 5.5 goals
Time: 8:30 PM EST Wednesday March 10, 2010
Tonight in a Western Conference match up in the Windy City the Chicago Blackhawks host the L.A. Kings. Both teams are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, but while the Kings won their last game the Blackhawks are coming off a loss.
Every game is important to each team, as each is looking to move up in the West. Chicago is in 2nd place in the West only 2 points behind 1st place San Jose and L.A. is in 5th place and trails Phoenix by one point and they want to move up in the conference to host a 1st round playoff series.
This season Chicago is 25-7-2 at home and L.A. is 20-12-1 on the road.
The Blackhawks have the 2nd best home record in the league and the Kings have the 2nd best road record.
In their last games the Kings crushed the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-0 on Monday night while the Blackhawks lost to the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 on Sunday.
Chicago has won 3 games in a row over L.A. at home.
Chicago has the 2nd highest scoring offense in the NHL this season (3.22 goals per game) and they may need to score a lot tonight, as their goalies have been struggling. Even though Chicago has won 5 of their last 7 games they have given up 26 goals in that span.
Antti Niemi (17 wins 2.25 GAA save percentage 90.9%) will get the start between the pipes tonight. In his last 7 games he is 4-2 with a 3.51 GAA and he was pulled in his last start giving up 3 goals on only 12 shots.
Chicago's defense is solid only allowing an average of 2.40 goals per game and they will have to play well tonight against a King's offense that ranks 8th in the league in scoring (2.95 goals per game).
L.A. has a decent, but not great, defense allowing an average of 2.63 goals per game. They will have to key on Chicago's Patrick Kane, who leads the team in goals (26), assists (48), and points (74).
Kings' G Jonathan Quick (37 wins 2.47 GAA save percentage 90.9%) will likely get the start tonight and he will be facing a dynamic Chicago offense.
L.A. is 8-2 in their last 10 road games, has an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games, and an Over record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 road games.
Chicago is 5-0 in their last 5 home games against team with a road winning percentage greater than 60%, has an Over record of 5-0 in their last 5 home games, and an Over record of 7-2-1 in their last 10 games against teams with a winning record.
L.A. is 1-4 in their last 5 games in Chicago.
Our Selection :The Blackhawks rarely lose at home and have beaten the Kings the last 3 times in the Windy City. The Kings do have the second best road record in the league. Chicago should win the game but why lay -165 on the moneyline when a play on the total offers much more value. These 2 teams are both in the top 10 in scoring, Chicago is 2nd and the Kings are 8th. Chicago has been struggling defensively lately, even though they've won 5 of their last 7 games they have given up 26 goals in that span. The Kings have an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games, and an Over record of 3-0-1 in their last 4 road games. The Blackhawks have gone over the posted total in their last 5 home games and we don't see any reason for that to change tonight. Take Over 5.5 goals.
Future Betting Odds
NHL Handicapping
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 5-17
The Boston Bruins need to play much better in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bruins lost the opener 5-2 at home and can ill-afford to fall behind 2-0 to Lightning. Tampa Bay are on quite a roll, winning their last eight in a row in the playoffs. The oddsmaker at Bodog have the Bruins as a -145 favorite to even-up the series.