The second-half of the hockey betting season fires up its engines Tuesday with a full slate of games, including the Chicago Blackhawks vs. the Vancouver Canucks.
One of the Western Conference’s most bitter rivalries, the first meeting this season (Nov. 6) had close to 60 penalty minutes as the two sides renewed acquaintances following Vancouver’s Game 7 overtime win in last year’s playoffs.
When the teams met again 10 days later, things didn’t get rough until the third and by then Chicago was ready to roll over an exhausted Canucks team that was still recovering from a tough, six-game road trip.
Both sides are fresh after a week-long All-Star break and online sportsbook Sportsbetting.com are suggesting Vancouver as a -140 moneyline favorite with a posted total of 5.5 Over (-114).
The road team won each of those early-season games and Chicago’s managed to maintain a plus-500 record away from home this year but just barely (10-9-2). The Hawks have lost four-straight away from the United Center but opened last year’s second-half strong, trouncing the woeful Columbus Blue Jackets 7-4.
Vancouver won’t go away that easy and they’ve tabbed Cory Schneider for the start; coach Vigneault hoping for a better effort in front of his No. 2 than the 5-1 loss in November.
NHL Picks: Corey Crawford will go for Chicago and as the offenses kick into gear, we look for this game to finish over the number. Good luck
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