The LA Kings host the Chicago Blackhawks, Thursday Mar 18, as Chicago tries to avoid dropping four straight. It's the fourth and final meeting between the teams, with the home teams winning each of the first three. NHL oddsmakers at BETUS.com have the Kings as -120 moneyline favs over the Blackhawks (+100) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your Chicago Blackhawks vs LA Kings NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com
The Blackhawks (44-19-1-5) have won five of ten and two of their last five on the road. They are 18-12-0-3on the road where they average 3.06 GAG and allow 2.55 GAG. They recently lost in Anaheim 2-4. They had goals from Brent Seabrook and Marian Hossa. Goalie Corey Crawford stopped 32 of 35 shots in his first game as he filled in for Antti Niemi and Cristobal Huet. Heut is still feeling the effects of the flu and is likely to sit out again tonight. Antti Niemi is 6-4 in his last ten with a 3.40 GAA and should get the start tonight. The Hawks are cruising to a division title, but are on a losing streak that has Vancouver a close five points behind for second in the West. The Blackhawks outshot Anaheim 41-36 on Tuesday, the 59th time in 69 games this season they've outshot their opposition. Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith has a goal and 5 assists in Chicago's last five games. Marian Hossa is 3-2-5 in his last five games , though he sat out Sunday before returning and scoring a goal on Tuesday.
The Kings (40-23-1-4) have lost six of their last ten games and three of five on home ice. They are 19-11-0-3 at home where they average 3.09 GAG and allow 2.64 GAG. They recently lost to Nashville 2-3 at home. They got goals from Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Goalie stopped 28 of 31 shots and is 5-5 in his last ten with a 2.60 GAA. Overall he’s 37-20-4 with a 2.49 GAA and a .909 SVPCT. The Kings dropped to sixth place in the West. The Kings are well rested after a three day break to recharge their batteries. "The last 14 games now, it's a big push," coach Terry Murray said. "We've got a team coming in here, in Chicago, that has had a couple games here recently that they're probably a little upset about, so you know darn well they're going to come with their `A' game. We've got to be coming out with the same kind of effort. Anze Kopitar, the Kings' top scorer, has 3 goals and 5 points in his last five games . Alexander Frolov has 3 goals and 9 points in L.A.'s last eight games.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Home team is 7-0 in the last 7 meetings.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Blackhawks are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Favorite is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Blackhawks are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
Chicago Blackhawks vs LA Kings
When: Thursday Mar 18, 2009 10:30 PM ET
Line: BETUS.com
Pick: Kings -120
Point-Spreads.com Chicago Blackhawks vs LA Kings NHL Prediction
The Bottom Line: The Kings have a healthy squad and the Hawks have serious goalie problems. Be sure to get your Chicago Blackhawks vs LA Kings NHL Prediction in early at BETUS.com and receive up to 145% in Cash Bonuses and start winning today!
