Last season in the NHL, it was the new kid on the block, the Vegas Golden Knights, who made an improbable run all the way to the Stanley Cup final before losing to the Washington Capitals. While it’s certainly fun to see new or smaller teams having some success in the league, the reality is that hardcore hockey fans still love to see the Original 6 teams go head to head, even in seasons where they are not having a lot of success.
We are getting one of those match-ups on Friday night, with the Chicago Blackhawks set to hit the road to face the Detroit Red Wings in a game that is probably, in the grand scheme of things, quite meaningless. While these two teams are certainly not going to be the playoffs, both will still be looking to get the upper hand in a rivalry that goes way, way back. The Blackhawks are on a good run of form right now, but they still find themselves as a 1 ½ goal underdog for this one. The O/U has been set at 6 ½.
Blackhawks vs Red Wings NHL Betting Lines & Game Info
“The Cat in the Hat! Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham.”@WGNRadio‘s John Wiedeman channels Dr. Seuss in the @att Call of the Game! #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/KzeOR4Uind
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) 19 de febrero de 2019
- When: Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30 PM EST
- Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
- TV: NBCSN
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Betting Lines: Detroit Red Wings -125 (Total 6.5)
Bruins vs Golden Knights NHL Betting Lines & Game Preview
Why bet on the Chicago Blackhawks?
Given their current standing, it’s easy to forget that this team is just a short time removed from winning multiple Stanley Cups. They are certainly not heading back to the playoffs this season, though, as they are stuck at the bottom of the Central Division with just 59 points from 60 games. That said, you look at the Wild Card race in the West and you see a total log jam, with the Blackhawks sitting just 1 point out of that final spot.Chicago is an impressive 8-2 over their last 10 games, but the uncertainty of their playoff future comes from the fact that they have just not been very consistent over the course of the season. This is a great run, but can they maintain it? They have won each of their last 2 meetings with Detroit, but their 11-15-3 road record is one that will need to improve.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.33
- Shots: 31.85
- PP/PK Percentage: 21.74
Defense
- Goals: 3.72
- Shots: 35.35
- PP/PK Percentage: 26.55
Why bet on the Detroit Red Wings?
As far as the playoffs go, it really is all over for the Red Wings, as the Wild Card race in the Eastern Conference is nowhere near as open as the West. The Red Wings are on 54 points, a full 15 points away from the final playoff spot, which is not a gap that can be closed at this late stage of the season.
It certainly doesn’t help that Detroit cannot seem to get any traction, as they are coming into this one having lost back to back games, although they are a more positive 5-4-1 over their last 10. Home ice advantage has not really helped them this season either, with the Red Wings currently sitting 2 games below .500 at home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.80
- Shots: 29.83
- PP/PK Percentage: 16.15
Defense
- Goals: 3.32
- Shots: 32.82
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.34
Blackhawks vs Red Wings NHL Betting Trends
- Chicago is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 games on the road
- Chicago is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games on the road
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 5 games on the road
- Detroit is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games at home
- Detroit is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Detroit’s last 11 games
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction
The Blackhawks have won each of the last 2 meetings with Detroit, outscoring them 10-3 in the process. Given the current run of form that Chicago is right now, I would not be surprised to see them extend their streak to 3 in a row over Detroit.Score: Chicago Blackhawks 4 – Detroit Red Wings 2
