The Chicago Blackhawks (14-30-2) kick off a 4-game road trip on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks (31-11-4). Puck drop at Rogers Arena is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Blackhawks vs. Canucks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Blackhawks are coming off a 4-3 OT win over the New York Islanders on Friday, but the Chicago offense has still been in a tailspin. The ‘Hawks have managed to light the lamp just 9 times in the past 6 games and 17 times in the previous 11 outings. That’s good news for Under bettors, as the total has gone low in 8 of the past 10 games for Chicago.
The Canucks picked up a 6-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, and they’ve won 3 in a row at home while going 7-0-1 in the past 8 games overall. The Over is 5-2-1 in the past 8 outings, too.
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Blackhawks at Canucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last update at 1:55 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +350 (bet $100 to win $350) | Canucks -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +2.5 (-135) | Canucks -2.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Blackhawks at Canucks projected goalies
Petr Mrazek (12-16-1, 3.04 GAA, .906 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Thatcher Demko (24-8-1, 2.47 GAA, .919 SV%, 4 SO)
Mrazek allowed just 3 goals on 29 shots against the Islanders to grab the win, and he outlasted the San Jose Sharks in a 9-round shootout in his prior start Tuesday, making 37 of 38 saves. The veteran backstop has won consecutive starts for the 1st time since Dec. 7-9.
Demko has won 6 straight starts, allowing 3 or fewer goals in 4 of those outings. He is 7-1-0 with a 2.51 GAA and .925 SV% with 1 SO in 8 January outings. He also faced the Blackhawks in Chicago on Dec. 17, kicking aside 25 of the 28 shots he faced in a 4-3 win.
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Blackhawks at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 5, Blackhawks 2
Moneyline
The Canucks (-450) will cost you 4½ times your potential return, and that’s a crazy high number for a moneyline play, especially in hockey. There is just no value to betting such heavy favorites like that, and over the long term, it’s a losing betting strategy.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
The CANUCKS -2.5 (+115) are worth playing very lightly at plus-money, but I’ve never been a fan of laying more than 2 goals in hockey betting. So much can go wrong, and if the Blackhawks +2.5 (-135) score 1st, you need 4 unanswered goals just to get back on the right side of things. It’s too risky.
It’s a little on the expensive side, but the alternate line of CANUCKS -1.5 (-165) is not priced too much out of line and is better for the more conservative player.
Over/Under
The OVER 6 (-120) is worth a look. While Mrazek has been very good for the Blackhawks lately, allowing 3 or fewer goals in 6 straight outings, I expect the Canucks to get to him. This is a goalie who allowed 4 or more goals in 3 straight road starts from Dec. 29-Jan. 4 against the Stars (x2) and Rangers.
Plus, the Over is 5-2-1 in the past 8 games for Vancouver, with the offense averaging 4.1 goals per game during the span while allowing 3 or more goals in 5 of those outings.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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