The Chicago Blackhawks (21-20-6) and Montreal Canadiens (20-20-7) tangle at Bell Centre Wednesday with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blackhawks-Canadiens odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Blackhawks at Canadiens: Projected starting goalies
Corey Crawford vs. Charlie Lindgren
Crawford owns a 3.09 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. Chicago is on the back nine of playing two games in as many days. Running mate Robin Lehner started Tuesday’s game in Ottawa, a 3-2 come-from-behind win for the Blackhawks. The veteran Chicago goalie has been only a Chicago goalie of late – he hasn’t started a road game since Dec. 14. Crawford owns a pedestrian .900 SV% over his last four road turns.
Lindgren draws Wednesday’s start. He enters the day with a 3.09 GAA and .908 SV% for an 0-2-0 record through just two starts.
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Blackhawks at Canadiens: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Montreal 3, Chicago 2
Moneyline (ML)
The ‘Hawks have been quite good when playing the back half of back-to-backs, and they’ve won several such contests after overtime games the previous day. Tuesday’s affair in Ottawa also required a comeback from a 2-0 deficit.
Chicago has exhibited slightly better possession numbers of late, but the Blackhawks still yield too many shots to be consistent winners. Montreal does a better job producing and denying high-quality scoring chances. Over the last three weeks, the Canadiens have piled up several one-goal losses in games that were statistically even or leaning toward the Habs. The lean here is toward the CANADIENS (-182).
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Chicago has a nice road record against the line (14-8); Montreal has a shaky home record against the puck line (8-16). The ‘Hawks haven’t played in many one-goal games of late, and there are a couple questions about Crawford. Otherwise, a play on CHICAGO (+1.5, -176) – as a middling play alongside a Montreal pick on the moneyline – would be a serious consideration.
Over/Under (O/U)
The prices listed bracket what I’d peg as a likely Over to the tune of a -140 figure. Maybe higher. PASS on the line of 5.5 (Over: -149, Under: +125).
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