Last Updated on April 16, 2010 8:00 am by drew
Hawks-Preds Pick
The final 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs have their finals first round series begin play on Friday when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Nashville Predators.
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The Blackhawks are the No. 2 seed in the West while the Predators is the No. 7 seed.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made Chicago the clear favorites to win the series with a money line of -400 while Nashville has a line of +300.
In six meetings this season, Chicago won four of the games. Three of Chicago’s wins were by at least two goals. The Blackhawks outshot the Predators in all but one game, including one game that Nashville was held to 13 shots.
Chicago scored 271 goals on the year while allowing just 209. The Blackhawks won 52 games on the year for 112 points, which was enough to win the Central Division. Chicago was 29-8-4 at home on the year. Patrick Kane scored 30 goals and had 58 assists to lead Chicago this season while Duncan Keith had 55 assists and Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp each scored 25 goals. Antti Niemi played in 39 games this season in net and won 26 games with seven shutouts and a goals against average of 2.25 and a save percentage of .910.
Nashville scored 225 goals this season and allowed 225 as well. The Predators won 47 games for 100 points and were 24-14-3 at home and 23-15-3 on the road. Patric Hornqvist and Steve Sullivan each racked up 51 points on the year to lead the Predators. Four others had 43 points or more. Hornqvist led Nashville with 30 goals while Sullivan had 34 assists. Pekka Rinne won 32 games in net with seven shutouts and a goals against average of 2.53 with a save percentage of .910.
In this series, the Blackhawks look to have the edge as they have the greater talent. Nashville has plenty of depth, but in the playoffs, you need superstars to step up. Niemi has been solid in net as well for Chicago and the Blackhawks have their eyes on the Stanley Cup this year. Look for Chicago to win this series comfortably.
Our Stanley Cup Series Free Pick for this matchup is: CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS -400
(Note: This free pick is for the entire seven game series and is not to be confused with our daily NHL picks, which are for individual games.)
Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Trends
CHICAGO is 75-57 ATS (+1.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.
CHICAGO is 15-5 ATS (+6.6 Units) in April games over the last 2 seasons.
NASHVILLE is 46-35 ATS (+81.1 Units) in all games this season.
NASHVILLE is 25-12 ATS (+37.6 Units) revenging a loss versus opponent this season.
NASHVILLE is 20-18 ATS (+42.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
NASHVILLE is 15-8 ATS (+6.6 Units) after a division game this season.
CHICAGO is 37-54 ATS (-30.5 Units) in home games on Friday nights since 1996.
Head-to-Head Series History
CHICAGO is 12-8 (+1.1 Units) against the spread versus NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
CHICAGO is 12-8-0 straight up against NASHVILLE over the last 3 seasons
11 of 19 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons . (Under=+1.4 Units)
Stanley Cup Playoffs Injury Report
NASHVILLE
[D] 03/09/2010 – Denis Grebeshkov out indefinitely ( Groin )
[C] 04/10/2010 – Patric Hornqvist probable for game 1 of playoffs ( Upper Body )
CHICAGO
[D] 03/15/2010 – Brian Campbell expected to miss 7-8 weeks ( Collarbone )
[D] 03/27/2010 – Kim Johnsson out indefinitely ( Concussion )
[RW] 04/09/2010 – Troy Brouwer "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Personal )
[D] 04/10/2010 – Jordan Hendry "?" Sunday vs. Detroit ( Undisclosed )
Stanley Cup Playoffs Series Odds
Chicago Blackhawks -400
Nashville Predators +300
Blackhawks vs. Predators Series Schedule:
Friday, April 16 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN2, VERSUS (JIP)
Sunday, April 18 at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Tuesday, April 20 at Nashville, 9:00 p.m. TSN, VERSUS (JIP)
Thursday, April 22 at Nashville, 8:30 p.m. TSN2, VERSUS (JIP)
*Saturday, April 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m. NBC, TSN
*Monday, April 26 at Nashville, TBD TSN
*Wednesday, April 28 at Chicago, TBD TSN
*If Necessary
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Posted: 4/16/10 8:00AM ET