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Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks & NHL Preview

Maple Leafs vs Blackhawks NHL Line/Handicapping

Intriguing Original Six Matchup Highlights Full Day of NHL Action Saturday

Two of the early frontrunners of their respective divisions meet in a marquee matchup Saturday when the Toronto Maple Leafs head to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Blackhawks.

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Toronto Maple Leafs (6-2-0-0) at Chicago Blackhawks (4-1-0-2)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Saturday, October 19, 2013
Where: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: CBC, NHLN-US, WGN
Leafs vs. Hawks Betting Lines
Toronto Maple Leafs +1½ -195 +158 Ov 5 -136
Chicago Blackhawks -1½ +170 -174 Un 5 +124
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Both teams are coming off losses that snapped three game win streaks and will be looking to start a new steak Saturday night. Saturday night’s game marks the return of Dave Bolland who spent seven spirited year in Chicago but was traded for three draft picks this summer.

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To nobody’s surprise the Toronto Maple Leafs have been one of the better offensive teams in the NHL this season – 3.50 goals per game. 10 Leafs have at least four points on the year – led by Joffrey Lupul who has been terrific with six goals and three assists and Mason Raymond and Phil Kessel who each have eight points – a point per game so far. James van Reimsdyk could miss the game with back issues – he is a pretty big loss for the Leafs. The aforementioned Dave Bolland has points in three straight games, including a goal and two assists.

Defensively, the Leafs are OK – they have been outshot in five straight games ahead of Saturday night’s clash but the goaltending duo has been strong. Jonathan Bernier has a .940 save percentage so far and James Reimer has a respectable .917 save percentage on the year. Reimer got knocked on the head Thursday night but may be available Saturday.
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The Chicago Blackhawks have been at tad underwhelming so far this year – not quite the stellar squad we expected – YET. They have scored 2.71 goals per game this year but are averaging just 2.2 per game in their last six. The leading point getter for the Hawks is Patrick Kane – four goals and an assist in seven games. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp have had slow starts to their season – just four points so far. Marian Hossa has scored goals in back-to-back games and also had an assist Thursday against the Blues he has been the best Hawk as of late.

Defensively the Hawks have been just OK as well – Corey Crawford has a .919 save percentage and a 2.25 GAA so far this year. He hasn’t been great in the shootout however – the Hawks have lost two shootouts already this young season.

Betting Prediction: A few trends to consider:
• TOR are 8-1 in their last 9 Sat. games.
• TOR are 6-2 in their last 8 overall.
• Under is 6-2 in TOR last 8 vs. Central.
• Under is 7-1-3 in CHI last 11 Sat. games.
• CHI are 14-5 in their last 19 Sat. games.
• CHI are 56-22 in their last 78 overall.
• Road team is 15-7-2 in the last 24 meetings.

You are going to have to score goals to keep up with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Hawks are struggling in that department. Toronto, off a bad-luck loss Thursday night will be looking to exact some revenge and cash in some of the karma that they build up in their loss last time out. Simply put, the Leafs look good and the Hawks look average. Take the surprisingly big underdog in this one.

Pick: Toronto Maple Leafs +158

By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.