Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks Prediction, NHL Odds
The Canucks are at the top of the NHL standings with 66 points and have won seven of their past eight games. Chicago is looking to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time since early December and just the second time this season.
Puck drop from Rogers Centre is set for 10:00 PM EST. Our NHL odds have Vancouver as a heavy -450 favourite at home on Monday night, with the OVER/UNDER set at 6 goals.
Blackhawks vs. Canucks NHL Betting Odds
Monday will be the second of three meetings this season between these Western Conference squads and Chicago will try to avoid losing a sixth straight game at the hand of the Canucks. Vancouver came back from down 2-1 to beat the Hawks 4-3 just over a month ago. That was the first time in four years that the Hawks have managed to score three goals on the Canucks.
Since losing their star rookie, Connor Bedard, the offence in Chicago has been extremely dry. They have scored just 1.3 goals per game over the past six, including their most recent four-goal outing on Friday Night. The lack of scoring has helped them play the UNDER in five of the past six games, moving them to 18-26-2 on the O/U this season. Considering they have only won 14 games this season, their 21-25 record on the spread is impressive, three of which have come in their past 10.
After three low-scoring games in a row, the Canucks got back to their ways, scoring six against Toronto on Saturday Night. They hit the OVER on Saturday after three in a row to the UNDER, getting them to 27-16-3 on the OVER/UNDER this year. Vancouver is 8-1-1 in their past 10 and has covered in seven of them. They have covered 31 of their 46 games this season, more than any other team in the league.
Chicago Blackhawks
After getting shutout the night before, Chicago bounced back Friday night on home ice, taking a 4-3 win in overtime over the New York Islanders. They were down 1-0 going into the second but three consecutive goals gave them a 3-1 lead in the third. The Isle’s came storming back to send the game to overtime, but Seth Jones’ first goal of the season secured the win for the Hawks.
Chicago’s 14th win of the season was their second in the past three games and just their second time scoring four goals this month.
Petr Mrazek started the game and now has won back-to-back starts boosting his record to 12-16-1. He has been pretty solid this season, posting a .906 save percentage and leading Chicago to 12 of their 14 wins.
The Blackhawks are opening a four-game road trip before the All-Star break. They are hoping to get veterans Tyler Johnson and Nick Foligno back at some point over the trip, but are both unlikely to play Monday.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have won back-to-back games at home, extending their point streak to eight games after beating Toronto in an offensive showdown, 6-4. Vancouver went up 3-0 in the first but blew the lead in the second as the Leafs stormed back with three of their own. Connor Garland scored his second of the night in the final minute of the second to regain the ‘Nucks lead headed to the third. Toronto tied things up again, but Vancouver’s potent powerplay tucked back-to-back goals to secure the 6-4 win.
Nils Hoglander and Garland each had a pair of goals, while Thatcher Demko faced 46 shots, and turned away 42 for his 24th win of the season. 42 saves is a season-high for the American netminder, who is in contention for his first-ever Vezina Trophy.
Vancouver is two games into a five-game homestand headed into the All-Star break. They have only lost four games in regulation at Rogers Arena this season helping them to the NHL’s best record.
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