The five-game betting board in the NHL on Wednesday features an Original Six clash between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.
It's a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions, as Detroit is stuck in the Central basement - and will have a hard time climbing out of it - while Chicago is enjoying a solid start and sits middle of the pack in a tough division.
Here are our best free picks and predictions for Blackhawks vs. Red Wings on February 17 at 7:30 p.m. ET in Detroit.
Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings betting preview
Injuries
Blackhawks: Connor Murphy D (Out), Andrew Shaw RW (Out), Brent Seabrook D (Out), Jonathan Toews C (Out).
Red Wings: Darren Helm LW (Out), Tyler Bertuzzi LW (Out), Jared McIsaac D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Chicago is 7-1 SU in its last eight meetings against Detroit. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Red Wings.
NHL sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonChicago has bounced around a bit as a moneyline favorite at DraftKings, opening -132, dipping to -127, rising as high as -148 and sitting at -139 as of 3:30 p.m. ET. Ticket count is 3/1 and money just beyond 2/1 on the Blackhawks. The total opened 5.5 (Over -113) and is now 5.5 (Under -127), with 51 percent of bets/54 percent of money on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this game
Moneyline pick
The Blackhawks don't get many easy games playing in a competitive Central Division that's led by the reigning Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, but they're taking advantage of the schedule when they do. That is, when they play the Red Wings.
Chicago has won all three games versus Detroit this season, outscoring the Red Wings 10-3 in the first two contests, and then beating them in overtime earlier this week. Overall, the Blackhawks have won seven of the last eight head-to-head meetings.
Going for their third consecutive win, the Blackhawks have been led by goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who has faced more shots than all but four goalies and sports a .925 save percentage. The rookie netminder has six wins in 11 games and three of his five losses have come in extra time, so he's certainly done his part to keep Chicago in games. After getting a breather in the OT win over the Red Wings on Monday, Lankinen should start this one in what will be a plus matchup for the 25-year-old.
Detroit is one of the weakest offensive teams in the league and should once again have a hard time keeping up. Bank on the Blackhawks, who have won five of their last six games, to come out on top and continue their winning trend against the Red Wings.
PREDICTION: Blackhawks (-135)
Over/Under pick
Neither of these teams would be confused for offensive stalwarts, with both below league average at finding the back of the net. Detroit is barely getting two goals across per night, ranking second-last in the NHL behind the offensively-inept Anaheim Ducks.
Bobby Ryan hasn't scored in 13 contests since tallying four goals in the first three games of the season, while Dylan Larkin is riding a seven-game goalless drought. They're tied for second on the team in goals and not a single player has cracked the 10-point mark. That should tell you all you need to know.
Though the Blackhawks are sitting 16th among the 31 teams in goals per game, they have more firepower in their lineup. Chicago is getting a strong season out of Alex DeBrincat, who has a team-leading eight goals, while Patrick Kane remains dangerous with seven tallies and 22 points. Get them on the man advantage and there could be problems, as the Blackhawks rank third in the league in powerplay conversions and the Red Wings get exposed on the penalty kill.
But neither team is strong at capitalizing at even strength, and with the Blackhawks putting a tough opponent between the pipes, we wouldn't expect Detroit's offense to break out tonight. The Under is 5-0 in the Red Wings' last five home games, as well as Chicago's last five road games. On the season, the Blackhawks are 7-10 O/U and the Red Wings are 5-12. Need we say more?
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-105)
Blackhawks vs Red Wings betting card
- Blackhawks (-135)
- Under 5.5 (-105)
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