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Two of the top teams in the NHL meet on Tuesday night, as the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Montreal Canadiens in a game that can be seen on NBCSN. The Blackhawks are battling with Minnesota for the best record in the Western Conference, while the Canadiens lead the Atlantic Division. It has been all Chicago in this series of late, as the Blackhawks have won the last six meetings. Let’s look at Tuesday’s game and NHL picks.
This war on the ice will go down Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Bell Centre. The game will be televised live on NBCSN.
We'll have NHL odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NHL Tuesday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Both Chicago and Montreal played on Sunday and then had Monday off, so there will be no advantage in terms of days off, but it should be noted that the Blackhawks played a matinee, while the Canadiens had a night game, so Chicago will have a little more rest.
Chicago has been a good road team as they are 20-12 with 14 games going over, 11 going under with seven pushes. The Canadiens have been solid at home, as they are 20-13 with 13 going over, 14 going under with six pushes.
Montreal will likely be listed as a small home favorite in this contest but it is worth noting that the Canadiens have been dealing with the flu. On their recent road trip a number of Montreal players were hit with the flu and they could still be feeling some of the effects. Carey Price missed a game last week but he should be at full strength for this game on Tuesday.
“We’re kind of a herd, so we’re constantly together and in tight places,” Price said. “It’s pretty inevitable that we’re going to rub elbows a little bit and probably pass it around a little bit.”
Special Teams
Chicago scores 2.9 goals per game, which is 8th in the league but they are not that good on the power play, as they rank 17th in the league at 19%. Chicago is just 27th in the league in penalty killing at 77.6%. The Blackhawks are 8th in goals against at 2.5 per contest. The Blackhawks are one of the top teams in the NHL but they could be even better if their special teams improved.
Montreal is 11th in the league on the power play at 20.4% and they are 18th in the league in goals per game at 2.7 per contest. The Canadiens are 20th in penalty killing at 80.3% and they are allowing just 2.5 goals per contest, which is 6th in the league.
Goalie Report
The Blackhawks have a solid starter in Corey Crawford and he should get the start on Tuesday, as backup Scott Darling is out due to injury. Crawford is 26-18 with a 2.55 goals against average.
The Canadiens should be going with Carey Price who is 30-21 with a 2.28 goals against average. Their backup is Al Montoya who is 8-9 with a 2.72 goals against average.
Free NHL Picks
As noted earlier, the Blackhawks have owned this series of late, winning the last six meetings including 3-2 at home earlier this season. Montreal has not won a game in this series since 2014. Chicago has won the last two in Montreal after losing the previous six. Four of the last five have gone under the total.
Chicago has been a very good road team this season, but Montreal has been solid at home. There is no question that the Blackhawks have owned this series, but I am a bit concerned about Chicago having a letdown after playing Minnesota on Sunday. I will avoid a side and just take this game under the total.
NHL Odds: Blackhawks 2, Canadiens 1
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