NHL Hockey Free Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks
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Team records:
Chicago: 44-18-6
Anaheim: 31-29-8
Tonight, 10:05p.m. ET
Sportsbook odds: Blackhawks -140, Ducks +120
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Wednesday’s game between the Hawks and the Ducks is a matchup that most thought would be a game between two playoff bound teams. Instead, it is a contest between one team that is looking forward to the Stanley Cup playoffs and one that is looking forward to next year.
The Chicago Blackhawks have been superb all season and despite a bit of a stumble in the last week or so, are still considered a strong contender to lift Lord Stanley’s cup at season’s end. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp continue to lead the way offensively for the Hawks while the defense faces its first real taste of adversity.
Brian Campbell was lost for the season on Sunday after taking an ill advised hit from Alex Ovechkin. His speed and puck moving skills will be missed on a team whose game plan is predicated on their quick transition offense and forecheck abilities. The goaltending carousel in Chicago continues with no real resolution in sight. Cristobal Huet and Antti Niemi continue to split the load with neither deserving the unquestioned starter role. These two will be called upon more with the injury of Campbell.
The Anaheim Ducks looked like they were about to make a move in the Western Conference standings and finally challenge for a playoff spot. That was before the team recorded a 0-4-1 record coming out of the Olympic break. Now they are a full ten points out of a playoff spot in the West and are fading quickly. The Ducks did record an impressive 4-2 victory over the Sharks on Sunday but paid a heavy price in the win. 
Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne both left the Ducks’ Sunday game with injury and their status for Wednesday night’s game is in question. Word is that the injuries are not serious, but they could be enough to sideline the two. Without these two, the Ducks could be in real trouble. Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu will be asked to pick up the slack and with their poor play lately, the prospects of a Wednesday win are dim.
Anaheim has won two of the teams’ three meeting this season and have owned Chicago at home. The home team in the series has also won eight of the last tem meetings. Don’t look for this trend to continue as Anaheim is banged up and is playing like they do not have all that much to play for. Anaheim is a very respectable 20-11-3 at home but they will be hard pressed to improve upon those numbers on Wednesday.
NHL Betting Trends:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago’s last 10 games
Anaheim is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim’s last 5 games when playing at home against Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Anaheim’s last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games when playing Anaheim
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Anaheim
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago’s last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Anaheim’s last 5 games at home
Pick: Chicago Blackhawks
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