Blackhawks vs. Canucks Odds
(TheSpread) – The Chicago Blackhawks begin the defense of their Stanley Cup title on Wednesday when they head to Vancouver to take on the Canucks.
Vancouver is the No. 1 seed in the West as it posted 117 points this season, most of any NHL team. Chicago is the No. 8 seed with 97 points. The Blackhawks only got into the playoffs thanks to a loss by Dallas on the final day of the regular season.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com Vancouver is the clear favorite to win the series with odds of -240 while Chicago has odds of +180.
Vancouver went 54-19-9 to finish on top of the NHL standings. The Canucks scored 262 goals on the year while holding opponents to just 185. Vancouver was 27-9-5 at home and 27-10-4 on the road. The Canucks won 7 of their last 10 games to end the season.
Chicago was 44-29-9 on the season to finish third in the Central Division. The Blackhawks scored 258 goals and allowed 225. Chicago was 24-17-0 at home and 20-12-9 on the road. The Hawks won 5 of their last 10 games to end the season.
These two teams faced off in four games this year with both teams winning twice. Vancouver won the last two meetings while Chicago won the first two. Chicago scored 12 goals in the series while Vancouver scored 9.
Trends show that the road team has won 6 of the last 8 games in this series while Vancouver has won 9 of their last 11 conference quarterfinal games.
In terms of injuries, Chicago wing Troy Brouwer and center David Bolland are both doubtful for the series opener due to injuries while Vancouver defenseman Andrew Alberts is questionable with a wrist injury.
2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round Odds – Blackhawks vs. Canucks
Chicago Blackhawks +180
Vancouver Canucks -240
Blackhawks vs. Canucks Series Schedule
Wednesday, April 13 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC (HD), VERSUS
Friday, April 15 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC (HD), VERSUS
Sunday, April 17 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC (HD), VERSUS
Tuesday, April 19 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m. CBC (HD), VERSUS
*Thursday, April 21 at Vancouver, 10:00 p.m. CBC (HD), VERSUS
*Sunday, April 24 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m. CBC (HD)
*Tuesday, April 26 at Vancouver, TBD CBC (HD)
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