PREMIUM
Rogers' SURE SHOT >> 8-3-2 ROLL in NHL!
(NHL) Nashville vs. Chicago,
Money Line: -145.00 Chicago (Home)
Result: Win
Money Line: -145.00 Chicago (Home)
Result: Win
The set-up: The 17-15-7 Nashville Predators will have their work cut out tonight when visiting the 25-12-5 Chicago Blackhawks, who are healthy again and check in at 15-4-4 at home after beginning a four-game homestand with two straight victories, 2-1 versus Carolina on Friday and 4-3 in overtime against Buffalo on Thursday.
Nashville: Injuries have hindered the Predators in recent weeks, with the team going 2-3-2 in its previous seven contests. Nashville has coped with upper-body injuries to key playmakers such as defenseman P.K. Subban, right winger James Neal and left winger Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators are just 7-10-2 away from home on the season but are 4-1-0 their last five road games. "It's nice to start getting some road wins," Predators head coach Peter Laviolette told The Tennessean. "We've got to get that record back up."
Chicago: The Blackhawks' return to health spells trouble for the rest of the NHL. With future Hall of Famer Marian Hossa back in the fold after missing five games with an upper-body injury and goaltender Corey Crawford fully recovered from an appendectomy, first-place Chicago appears poised to extend its two-point lead on Minnesota in the Central Division and the Western Conference. Artemi Panarin (16 goals, 40 points) and Artem Anisimov (team-high18 goals, 31 points) continue their strong two-way play as they pace Chicago in plus-minus rating at plus-15 and 14, respectively. Hossa (16 goals this season, 515 career) recorded an assist Friday in his second game back while Patrick Kane (team bests of 41 points, 29 assists) has a goal and three assists in his last two contests.
The pick: Corey Crawford (14-8-3, 2.34 GAA, .925 save-percentage) returns to the net and tries for his third victory in four games, a stretch that began with the win over Nashville, after Scott Darling won Friday's contest. Pekka Rinne (14-10-6, 2.45 GAA, .918 save-percentage) is expected back in goal after snapping a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) in his last start Thursday. Bottom line is, the Blackhawks are too tough at home for teh Predators. Make Chicago an 8* play.
Nashville: Injuries have hindered the Predators in recent weeks, with the team going 2-3-2 in its previous seven contests. Nashville has coped with upper-body injuries to key playmakers such as defenseman P.K. Subban, right winger James Neal and left winger Viktor Arvidsson. The Predators are just 7-10-2 away from home on the season but are 4-1-0 their last five road games. "It's nice to start getting some road wins," Predators head coach Peter Laviolette told The Tennessean. "We've got to get that record back up."
Chicago: The Blackhawks' return to health spells trouble for the rest of the NHL. With future Hall of Famer Marian Hossa back in the fold after missing five games with an upper-body injury and goaltender Corey Crawford fully recovered from an appendectomy, first-place Chicago appears poised to extend its two-point lead on Minnesota in the Central Division and the Western Conference. Artemi Panarin (16 goals, 40 points) and Artem Anisimov (team-high18 goals, 31 points) continue their strong two-way play as they pace Chicago in plus-minus rating at plus-15 and 14, respectively. Hossa (16 goals this season, 515 career) recorded an assist Friday in his second game back while Patrick Kane (team bests of 41 points, 29 assists) has a goal and three assists in his last two contests.
The pick: Corey Crawford (14-8-3, 2.34 GAA, .925 save-percentage) returns to the net and tries for his third victory in four games, a stretch that began with the win over Nashville, after Scott Darling won Friday's contest. Pekka Rinne (14-10-6, 2.45 GAA, .918 save-percentage) is expected back in goal after snapping a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) in his last start Thursday. Bottom line is, the Blackhawks are too tough at home for teh Predators. Make Chicago an 8* play.
