NHL free picks: Blackhawks vs. Canadiens, Flyers vs. Blues
Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane controls the puck. (Photo by Patrick Gorski/Icon Sportswire)
January 15th, 2020
The Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues will engage in an intriguing prime-time matchup Wednesday night, but not before the Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens renew their Original Six rivalry earlier in the evening. Here are betting previews for both contests.
Chicago Blackhawks at Montréal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Chicago Blackhawks | +1.5 | +150 | O 6.5 |
Montreal Canadiens | -1.5 | -185 | U 6.5 |
The Blackhawks are back in action after a 3-2 win over the Senators on Tuesday night. It looks like a tough spot for Chicago at first glance, but the trends suggest the Blackhawks are a good bet as an underdog.
The Blackhawks have won seven of their last eight games on no rest and have beaten Montréal in eight of their last 10 meetings. Chicago has also won five of their last six road games. The line featuring rookie Dominik Kubalik, and veterans Johnathan Toews and Patrick Kane, has been wreaking havoc on opponents. Kubalik has seven goals in his last five games, while Kane has six assists in that span. Toews has outdone them both, with eight points over his last five games.
The Blackhawks have won seven of their last eight games on no rest and have beaten Montréal in eight of their last 10 meetings. Chicago has also won five of their last six road games. The line featuring rookie Dominik Kubalik, and veterans Johnathan Toews and Patrick Kane, has been wreaking havoc on opponents. Kubalik has seven goals in his last five games, while Kane has six assists in that span. Toews has outdone them both, with eight points over his last five games.
Dominik Kubalik slams one home to put Chicago on the board!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/bDMSeOOXYQ
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 15, 2020
The Canadiens may have won two straight, but that was preceded by an eight-game losing streak. They’re not a very good team, and they struggle to score on a regular basis at home (25th at 2.79 goals per game). They’re not worth a wager at these odds.
NHL free play: Blackhawks moneyline
Philadelphia Flyers at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. ET
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|
Chicago Blackhawks | +1.5 | +150 | O 6.5 |
Montreal Canadiens | -1.5 | -185 | U 6.5 |
The Flyers have struggled mightily on the road this season, which spells trouble against the Blues on Wednesday night.
Philly’s problems away from home begin between the pipes, as goaltender Carter Hart sports a 4.01 goals-against average and a .850 save percentage in 12 starts as a visitor this season. That’s partially why the Flyers will turn to backup Brian Elliott in this spot, though his road splits are also not encouraging (3.32 GAA, .894 save percentage in 12 road starts).
But goaltending is not solely to blame for the Flyers’ 9-15 road record, as Alain Vigneault’s troops have mustered just 2.71 goals per game away from Philadelphia, which ranks 19th in the league.
St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington is a frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy, thanks in large part to his outstanding play at home this season. He is 15-3-3, with a 2.11 GAA and .926 save percentage, in 21 starts at the Enterprise Center.
The Blues are poised to win a fifth straight game, especially if forward Brayden Schenn continues his sharp, selfless play. He has six assists during his club’s four-game win streak.
Philly’s problems away from home begin between the pipes, as goaltender Carter Hart sports a 4.01 goals-against average and a .850 save percentage in 12 starts as a visitor this season. That’s partially why the Flyers will turn to backup Brian Elliott in this spot, though his road splits are also not encouraging (3.32 GAA, .894 save percentage in 12 road starts).
But goaltending is not solely to blame for the Flyers’ 9-15 road record, as Alain Vigneault’s troops have mustered just 2.71 goals per game away from Philadelphia, which ranks 19th in the league.
St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington is a frontrunner for the Vezina Trophy, thanks in large part to his outstanding play at home this season. He is 15-3-3, with a 2.11 GAA and .926 save percentage, in 21 starts at the Enterprise Center.
The Blues are poised to win a fifth straight game, especially if forward Brayden Schenn continues his sharp, selfless play. He has six assists during his club’s four-game win streak.
NHL free play: Blues -1.5
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