Chicago At Anaheim NHL Picks & Betting Preview

With the NHL playoffs now just a matter of days away, it’s always fun to look ahead at which two teams might well be going head to head in the Stanley Cup. Anyone interested in figuring that out needs to be able to break down each conference and the potential playoff match-ups that are coming. In the Western Conference, there are a trio of teams, so far, that have managed to break the 100-point barrier on the season, and it might be easy to suggest that these will be the teams to beat when the playoffs begin. If that is indeed the case, then the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks may well be on a collision course in the postseason. These are the two teams that are winning their respective divisions, and it’s beginning to look as though both are going to stay that way until the end. This is a possible preview of the Western Conference Final, so it’s going to be interesting to see how things go when they hook up in Anaheim on Thursday night. Find the latest NHL betting lines here.

A Closer Look At The Chicago Blackhawks At Anaheim Ducks NHL Picks & Betting Preview

When: Thursday, April 6 at 10 PM ESTWhere: Honda Center, AnaheimTV: NBCSNLive Stream: NHL.TVNHL Odds: -1.5 (+210)  

Why bet on the Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks (50-22-8) have officially clinched the Central Division and the top seed in the Western Conference, so there is really nothing for them to play for here. This may be a good opportunity to rest some guys, so as not to show their hand too much to a team that they could well end up facing in the postseason. The Blackhawks really have nothing left to prove when it comes to facing the Ducks, as they have beaten them 7 times in their last 10 meetings. The seed of doubt should be well and truly planted, but another win in this one might drive it home a little deeper. Chicago have lost back to back games, but are still a very dangerous 24-12-3 on the road this season.

Why bet on the Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks (44-23-13) have not yet clinched the Pacific Division, but after back to back wins over the Calgary Flames, it’s only a matter of time. Given that they still have some business to take care of, it stands to reason that they might be more inspired to get a win here than Chicago are. They will also want to improve their recent record against a Blackhawks team that has very much had their number, albeit in generally close encounters. The last 5 meetings between these two teams have each been decided by a single goal, proving that they are evenly matched. The Ducks are 7-0-3 in their last 10 games, and are 27-8-4 on home ice this season.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Some of the excitement may be taken out of this one given that the Blackhawks really have nothing to play for. That, in my opinion, gives the Ducks the slight edge in this one.

Chicago Blackhawks 1 Anaheim Ducks 3