The Chicago Blackhawks will open up the regular season against the team that ended their season a year ago as they host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, October 12th on NBCSN. The Blackhawks lost in 7 games last season to the Blues in a hard fought series with six of the seven games being decided by a single goal. The Blackhawks have virtually the same team they had a year ago but the Blues do not as St. Louis lost Brian Elliott, David Backes and Troy Brouwer.
Odds Analysis
The line on this game will have Chicago as the home favorite in the range of -140 to -150. The total on the game should be listed at 5 as all seven games last season in the playoff series were listed at 5. Three of the seven games went over’ two went under with two pushes.
One of the many options for betting NHL odds at BookMaker.eu is futures and the Blackhawks are listed at 10/1 to win the Stanley Cup while the Blues are at 12/1. Chicago is +220 to win the Central Division while St. Louis is +261.
Goalie Report
The Blackhawks have the edge in goal as Corey Crawford is one of the league’s top goaltenders. He played in 58 games last season and had a 2.37 goals against average and a .924 save percentage.
The Blues traded away Brian Elliott for just a second round pick so it is all up to Jake Allen this season. He was good last season but he never took away the top job from Elliott as he got it do to injury. Whether or not Allen is ready to shoulder the full time is a big question.
Injury Notes
The Blackhawks will be without one of their top defensemen as Niklas Hjalmarsson is out due to suspension. The Blues will be missing left wing Jaden Schwartz who has an elbow injury.
Situational Betting
The Blues are 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Chicago. The Blues have been a good road team of late going 19-7 in their last 26 road games. They are also 14-6 in their last 20 games vs. the Central Division. Chicago has struggled of late within the division going 5-13 in their last 18 games.
The Blues have gone over in four of their last six road games. Chicago has gone over in five of their last twelve home games with six pushes. Three of the last six meetings in the series have gone over with three pushes.
Analysis & Prediction
The Blues are set up to fail this season as it will be the last year for Ken Hitchcock as head coach as Mike Yeo is the coach in waiting. When was the last time that worked, if ever? St. Louis also let Backes and Elliott get away and got no real replacements.
Chicago didn’t do much in the off-season other than bring in Brian Campbell to help out on defense but the Blackhawks are still loaded with talent. They have two of the top lines in the NHL with Jonathan Toews on the top line and Patrick Kane on the second line. Chicago also has a budding superstar in Artemi Panarin who is the reigning Calder Trophy winner.
This should be a solid opening game win for the Blackhawks as they get revenge on their division rivals on opening night.
Chicago 4 St. Louis 1
The NHL odds for this Wednesday contest will be released first by BookMaker. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time odds and player props during the game. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
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The matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues will start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 12, 2016, at the United Center. The game will be televised live on NBCSN.
