Predators-Blackhawks Outlook
By Kevin Rogers
No. 2 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 7 Nashville Predators
Series Price: Chicago -400, Nashville +330
Skinny: The Blackhawks fell one point short of claiming the top seed in the Western Conference, but Chicago still finished its best season in franchise history with 52 victories and 112 points. The Hawks look for their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1992 when Chicago battles division rival Nashville in the first round of the playoffs.
Chicago is led by one of the youngest, but most talented lines in the league. Patrick Kane (30 goals, 55 assists) and Jonathan Toews (25 goals, 43 assists) are each shy of 23 years old, while veterans Duncan Keith and Patrick Sharp have rounded out this balanced Blackhawks' offense. Kane is the only Chicago player in the top 47 in the league in goals scored, but the Hawks tallied the third-most goals in the NHL. Antti Niemi was exceptionally strong in the Chicago net by owning a 2.25 GAA and 26-7-4 record. Niemi ranked fourth in the league in GAA, while veteran goalie Cristobal Huet picked up 26 victories in 46 starts.
Nashville is making its fifth playoff appearance in the last six seasons after missing the postseason in 2009. The Preds don't have the scoring punch that the Blackhawks provide, but are paced by the 30 goals from Patric Hornqvist. Nashville ranked 18th in the league in goals (217), but allowed the 14th fewest goals in the NHL (221). Former 8th round pick Pekka Rinne finished the season solid with a 32-16-5 mark in goal, including wins in ten of his last 14 games in the Nashville net.
The Hawks grabbed four of the six regular season meetings, but these teams haven't seen each other in this calendar year. In an odd scheduling quirk, Chicago and Nashville met three times in October and three times in December. Four of the six meetings finished 'under' the total, including Chicago's first two victories in this series. The Hawks grabbed a pair of two-goal victories, but the Preds bounced back as a home underdog with a 2-0 shutout in late October. Nashville pulled off a big surprise as nearly a $2.00 road 'dog by stunning Chicago, 4-1 on December 4. The Blackhawks restored order with consecutive wins on a home-and-home in late December, tallying nine goals in the final two victories.
Gambling Notes: Chicago owned one of the best home records in the NHL, while going 17-6 as 'chalk' at the United Center at $2.00 or higher. The Hawks finished just 10-13 on the puck-line when listed in that price range, as Chicago played to 12 'unders' in the last 20 as a home favorite of at least $2.00. Following five straight losses as a road favorite through March, the Hawks have captured four consecutive games as road 'chalk.'
Nashville was extremely profitable when taken on the puck-line as $2.00 road underdogs by compiling an 8-3 mark. The Preds kept many games close as road 'dogs in general with a 26-11 ledger on the puck-line. Seven of the final eight home games for Nashville finished 'under' the total, which came after six consecutive 'overs' at Bridgestone Arena.
Series Outlook: It's never easy facing a division rival in the playoffs, especially one you haven't seen in over three months. Chicago's offense will be too much for Nashville with Kane and Toews paving the way. Niemi has been sharp in net for the Hawks, and even though Rinna's season is impressive, the Preds will have problems scoring a bunch of goals in this series. The Hawks will advance to the second round in five games.
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