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NHL
Sunday, March 29
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Ice Picks: NHL best bets
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Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-140, 5.5)
The Blackhawks seemingly had a stronghold on the fourth seed in the Western Conference five weeks ago, but an impressive surge by Vancouver has the Canucks on Chicago's heels.
The Blackhawks aren't the only team the Canucks are trying to catch.
In a possible first-round playoff matchup, the Blackhawks look to pad their lead for the fourth seed Sunday, while visiting Vancouver tries to tie them and move closer to first place in the Northwest Division.
On Feb. 21, Chicago (40-22-11) had an eight-point lead over the Canucks (40-25-9) for fourth in the West. The Blackhawks, though, went 3-7-3 in their next 13 as Vancouver pulled ahead of them last week.
Chicago has won three in a row - all at home - following a season-high five-game losing streak to reclaim fourth, but the Canucks are just two points back.
Finishing fourth and earning home-ice advantage would provide a significant boost to both teams as they've been struggling on the road. Chicago has dropped four straight away from the United Center, while the Canucks have lost five of seven on the road.
Although these clubs could meet in the first round, the Canucks can also catch first-place Calgary in the Northwest and clinch the third seed.
Vancouver defeated Chicago 7-3 at GM Place on Feb. 7 after losing by two goals in each of the first two meetings. Chicago has not won a season series over the Canucks since 2001-02.
The Blackhawks are coming off Friday's 3-2 win over New Jersey, as Brent Seabrook's shot from the blue line at 3:36 of overtime beat Martin Brodeur. Chicago has 13 goals during its winning streak after scoring 14 times during its skid.
The Canucks defeated Colorado 4-1 on Friday, making sure not to take the conference-worst Avalanche lightly following Thursday's disappointing 4-2 loss in St. Louis.
Roberto Luongo was given the night off Friday after going 13-4-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average in starting the previous 18 for the Canucks. In two games versus the Blackhawks this season, Luongo is 1-1-0 with a 3.55 GAA.
Pick: Under
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks (-250, 5.5)
Another meeting with the team occupying the bottom of the Western Conference could be just what the Anaheim Ducks need to rebound from a tough loss to a fellow playoff contender.
The Ducks look to sweep a season series from the lowly Colorado Avalanche for the first time Sunday night.
Anaheim (37-32-6) is in the middle of the West playoff race, competing with Edmonton, Nashville, St. Louis, Minnesota and Dallas for the final two spots.
The Ducks, who have seven regular-season games left, look to improve their playoff hopes against the Avalanche (31-42-2), who are already eliminated from postseason contention and own the fewest points in the conference.
Anaheim failed to capitalize on Friday's meeting with the Oilers at Honda Center, falling 5-3 after allowing goals on Edmonton's first two shots of the game. The Ducks took a team-record 54 shots, which included a 24-3 advantage in the third period.
"The guys did everything they could," said Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who gave up four goals on seven shots in 22:44 of playing time. "I'm sure we would have liked to have a better start. After the first two minutes, I thought we controlled the game.
"We're still right in the hunt ... so every game is a must-win from here on. And if we put this type of effort out on the ice every day, I'm not worried about it. I know we have the character, the talent and the leadership to go and do it."
Giguere, who was pulled twice Friday, is 4-0-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average in his last four games versus the Avalanche, while Hiller is 3-1-0 with a 1.74 GAA in his career against them.
The Avalanche lost their season high-tying sixth straight (0-5-1) on Friday, falling 4-1 to Vancouver after giving up three goals in the third.
Colorado is looking to avoid its longest losing streak since dropping eight in a row from Jan. 2-23, 1992, when the franchise was the Quebec Nordiques.
The Avs haven't generated more than two goals in any game during the skid and could use some help from Ryan Smyth and Milan Hejduk, the team's co-leaders with 26 goals.
Pick: Under
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Sunday, March 29
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Ice Picks: NHL best bets
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Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks (-140, 5.5)
The Blackhawks seemingly had a stronghold on the fourth seed in the Western Conference five weeks ago, but an impressive surge by Vancouver has the Canucks on Chicago's heels.
The Blackhawks aren't the only team the Canucks are trying to catch.
In a possible first-round playoff matchup, the Blackhawks look to pad their lead for the fourth seed Sunday, while visiting Vancouver tries to tie them and move closer to first place in the Northwest Division.
On Feb. 21, Chicago (40-22-11) had an eight-point lead over the Canucks (40-25-9) for fourth in the West. The Blackhawks, though, went 3-7-3 in their next 13 as Vancouver pulled ahead of them last week.
Chicago has won three in a row - all at home - following a season-high five-game losing streak to reclaim fourth, but the Canucks are just two points back.
Finishing fourth and earning home-ice advantage would provide a significant boost to both teams as they've been struggling on the road. Chicago has dropped four straight away from the United Center, while the Canucks have lost five of seven on the road.
Although these clubs could meet in the first round, the Canucks can also catch first-place Calgary in the Northwest and clinch the third seed.
Vancouver defeated Chicago 7-3 at GM Place on Feb. 7 after losing by two goals in each of the first two meetings. Chicago has not won a season series over the Canucks since 2001-02.
The Blackhawks are coming off Friday's 3-2 win over New Jersey, as Brent Seabrook's shot from the blue line at 3:36 of overtime beat Martin Brodeur. Chicago has 13 goals during its winning streak after scoring 14 times during its skid.
The Canucks defeated Colorado 4-1 on Friday, making sure not to take the conference-worst Avalanche lightly following Thursday's disappointing 4-2 loss in St. Louis.
Roberto Luongo was given the night off Friday after going 13-4-1 with a 2.13 goals-against average in starting the previous 18 for the Canucks. In two games versus the Blackhawks this season, Luongo is 1-1-0 with a 3.55 GAA.
Pick: Under
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks (-250, 5.5)
Another meeting with the team occupying the bottom of the Western Conference could be just what the Anaheim Ducks need to rebound from a tough loss to a fellow playoff contender.
The Ducks look to sweep a season series from the lowly Colorado Avalanche for the first time Sunday night.
Anaheim (37-32-6) is in the middle of the West playoff race, competing with Edmonton, Nashville, St. Louis, Minnesota and Dallas for the final two spots.
The Ducks, who have seven regular-season games left, look to improve their playoff hopes against the Avalanche (31-42-2), who are already eliminated from postseason contention and own the fewest points in the conference.
Anaheim failed to capitalize on Friday's meeting with the Oilers at Honda Center, falling 5-3 after allowing goals on Edmonton's first two shots of the game. The Ducks took a team-record 54 shots, which included a 24-3 advantage in the third period.
"The guys did everything they could," said Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who gave up four goals on seven shots in 22:44 of playing time. "I'm sure we would have liked to have a better start. After the first two minutes, I thought we controlled the game.
"We're still right in the hunt ... so every game is a must-win from here on. And if we put this type of effort out on the ice every day, I'm not worried about it. I know we have the character, the talent and the leadership to go and do it."
Giguere, who was pulled twice Friday, is 4-0-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average in his last four games versus the Avalanche, while Hiller is 3-1-0 with a 1.74 GAA in his career against them.
The Avalanche lost their season high-tying sixth straight (0-5-1) on Friday, falling 4-1 to Vancouver after giving up three goals in the third.
Colorado is looking to avoid its longest losing streak since dropping eight in a row from Jan. 2-23, 1992, when the franchise was the Quebec Nordiques.
The Avs haven't generated more than two goals in any game during the skid and could use some help from Ryan Smyth and Milan Hejduk, the team's co-leaders with 26 goals.
Pick: Under
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