Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks

Mar 02, 2008 | By Stan Leung | Picks Articles Archive

NHL Betting Pick

www (-120) vs Chicago Blackhawks (+110)
Sunday, March 2, 2008 2:00 PM CT
Canucks -120
Bet this NHL game at Bet365.com

At -120 the sports betting odds are not so great that you don’t have to risk you a lot to make some money for this online NHL bet. The Canucks have lost their last two games at home by shootout and overtime and they are a team that needs to be on the road at this moment so the team can gel together. After two disappointing home losses, the Vancouver Canucks might welcome a trip to Chicago.

After the loss to the Columbus Bluejackets Canucks goal tender Roberto Luongo was mad and you do not want to make a goalie of this caliber mad. I think a mad Luango make the team play better. He wins games for Vancouver. Without Luongo playing his best the Canucks has not shot in the playoffs. Their team is basically one line and that is the Sedin twins. If they do not play well it is up to Luango to get the team points.

The Blackhawks have been the most improved franchise and have played above expectations but are 4-4 and 1 in their last ten games. After the All Star break the rookies and younger players are starting to feel the rookie wall as they sit 12th in the Western Conference. The Canucks have not played well of late but they are in a playoff race with that tough Northwest Division and they need to play better if they even have a shot at winning.

Bottom Line: Despite losing two straight games both those games were in overtime and the Canucks still got points out of those games and they have been playing very well prior to those tow loses. The Canucks are 6-1 and 3 in their last ten games. Look for recent Manitoba Moose call ups Ryan Shannon and Mason Raymond to really take the load of the first line. Also the Hawk’s main scoring threat Martin Havlat will still be out with his shoulder injury. The Hawks will start Patrick Lalime as Nikolai Khabibulin is day-to-day with back spasms. Lalime is 5-3-1 with a 1.78 GAA against Vancouver, but has lost four of his last five starts versus the Canucks.

Look for the Canucks to get back on track with a win over the Hawks

Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Betting Pick

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