Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Mar 14, 2008 | By Stan Leung | Picks Articles Archive

Online Ice Hockey Betting

Chicago Blackhawks (+110) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (-130)
Friday, March 14, 2008 7:05 PM EST
Over/Under: 5.5
Pick: Blackhawks +110

NHL Betting at Bet365.com

Since seeing Jonathan Towes got into that little fight it showed to me how well and cohesive the Blachhawks have been playing lately. Sportsbook oddsmakers currently have the Columbus listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Chicago, while NHL betting odds have the total sitting at 5½ at Bet365.com

Columbus is the worst offensive team in the league averaging just 2.4 goals per game and even though Martin Havlat, Ben Eager, and goalie Nikolai Khabibulin are out with injuries their young players have gelled and together and play like veterans. Jonathan Towes, Patrick Kane, and Andrew Ladd look great together and they play for each other. Both these teams are tied in the NHL Western conference standings and the only difference is the style of play and intensity of play I have seen the Hawks play of late. The deciding factor in tonight’s game is goalie Corey Crawford who is 1-2-0 but he has a 1.67 GGA and a .948 save percentage in his last 3 GPI. Despite the fact the Hawks are on a 4 game losing streak the team is not down on themselves and still playing hard with fight in them. Betting wise just look at the way Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane have been playing and you would not think they have lost four games.

Bottom Line: The Blue Jackets are 1-7 in their last 8 home games and against the spread the Blackhawks are not all that bad as they are 39-32 all season long. The Blue Jackets are 18-41 in their last 59 vs. a team with a losing record and are also 6-16 in their last 22 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Betting wise I love this NHL underdog betting pick at +110 at Bet365.com and Jonathan Towes and Patrick Kane are looking to play hard and have fun every game.

Take the dog team on the road tonight.

A few trends to consider:

The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games when playing on the road against Columbus
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games when playing Columbus
Chicago is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Columbus's last 8 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Columbus's last 6 games at home
Columbus is 6-13 SU in its last 19 games

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Chicago Blackhawks vs. Columbus Blue Jackets

Online Ice Hockey Betting

Take the dog team on the road tonight.

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