The Pacific Division-leading Vancouver Canucks (31-21-5) host the Chicago Blackhawks (25-23-8) Wednesday at Rogers Arena for a 10:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Blackhawks-Canucks sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Blackhawks at Canucks: Projected starting goalies
Corey Crawford vs. Jacob Markstrom
Crawford is 10-14-3 with a .912 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average through 27 starts and one relief appearance. He’s coming off a Sunday road game against the Winnipeg Jets in which he gave up three goals on 34 shots in a loss.
Markstrom is 21-16-3 through 40 starts with a .915 SV% and 2.81 GAA. He stopped 36 of 38 shots against the Nashville Predators Monday to snap a personal three-game losing streak.
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Blackhawks at Canucks: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 9 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Canucks 4, Blackhawks 1
Moneyline (ML)
The CANUCKS (-161) are an easy choice at home against a Blackhawks (+135) team in last place in the Central Division. Chicago has dropped four straight games, including a 5-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday. It is 5-3-2 across its last 10 games and 13-11-4 on the road for the year.
Vancouver is coming off a 6-2 win over the Preds Monday. It has gone 6-3-1 across its last 10 games and owns a strong 18-6-3 home record for the season. The season series between the two Western Conference opponents is tied at a game apiece coming into Wednesday. The Canucks won the most recent meeting 7-5 Jan. 2 at Rogers Arena.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Take the CANUCKS (-1.5, +165) to win by at least 2 goals. They’re 32-35 against the spread overall and 14-13 on home ice. The Blackhawks are 32-24 ATS overall and 18-10 on the road, but each of their last two losses were by margins of at least 2 goals. Seven of the Canucks’ last eight wins came by at least 2 goals.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the value in the UNDER 5.5 (+125) and count on the Canucks to contribute the bulk of the scoring with Markstrom shutting the door on the Hawks. The two teams have hit the Over just five teams each in their respective last 10 games.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 222-208
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