NHL Betting – Slumping Chicago @ Flickering Blues
The Chicago Blackhawks travel to St. Louis on Tuesday night in the hopes of breaking a two game losing streak and shake a slump that has been plaguing them for the last two weeks or so. St. Louis looks to be out of the playoff picture but would love to play spoiler against their Central Division foe, the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks (46-21-7) @ St. Louis Blues (36-30-9)
8:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
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- The St. Louis Blues rank 20th on offense, and average 2.6 goals per game. The Blues are 16.9% on the power play and have 47 power play goals.
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 4th on offense, and averaging 3.1 goals per game. The Blackhawks are 18.5% on the power play and have 50 power play goals.
- The Blues average 2.5 goals per game at home, and give up 2.9 goals against on defense.
- The Blackhawks average 3.1 goals per game on the road, and give up 2.7 goals against on defense.
Chicago Blackhawks: -130
The Chicago Blackhawks are hoping that their slumping ways will come to an end before the playoffs start. It is a reality in sport that struggles ensue, but it is also a reality that the good teams find a way to stop the bleeding. Chicago is a disappointing 5-6-2 since the Olympic break and are coming off two straight losses to the worst team in their Division, the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Sure injuries have affected the Hawks with defensemen Kim Jonsson and Brian Campbell on the shelf, but it is the team’s power play (4 for its last 38) and the goaltending that is raising alarm bells in the Windy City. Cristobal Huet is 2-5-1 in his last nine games with a goals against average of 3.62 and Number 1B goaltender Antte Niemi isn’t much better. Chicago’s offense will be fine but the power play and the goaltending have some work to do if the Hawks are to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup in June.
St. Louis Blues: +110
The St. Louis Blues enter Tuesday’s contest knowing that their playoff hopes are slim at best, but that has not discouraged them from playing some of their best hockey of the season. The Blues’ March record is 8-4-1 including two straight victories at home. They currently sit eight points out of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot.
The St. Louis fortunes certainly are not due to their best players stepping up. Alex Steen and Andy McDonald have been ice cold lately and the only real offensive threat appears to be a rejuvenated Paul Kariya who has tallied four points in his last three games. The real story behind the Blues success is the play of goaltender Chris Mason who has bounced back after a rough patch to record a 3-2 record in his last 5 games with a 1.41 goals against average and two shutouts.
The Blackhawks and the Blues both have something to play for. The Hawks hope to avoid a three game losing streak while the Blues hope to emerge with a three game winning streak. This game screams upset all the way. The Hawks’ goaltenders have been weak while the Blues goaltender has been hot. Look for a fired up Blues team to keep their playoff hopes alive with an upset win over the Hawks.
Pick: St. Louis Blues +110
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