The top-seeded Vancouver Canucks will try to take a 2-0 lead over Chicago when the clubs meet tonight at Rogers Arena for Game 2 of the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinals. The Canucks have won three of their last five over the Blackhawks. NHL oddsmakers have the Canucks as -180 moneyline home favourites over the Blackhawks (+165) with the over/under set at 5 goals. Be sure to check the Blackhawks vs Canucks NHL Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
Chicago’s goalie Corey Crawford stopped 31 shots in what was the rookie's NHL playoff debut, but their offense couldn’t bang in any goals to back up their goalie. The Blackhawks are a much different team than the group that won it all a year ago, as Hawks GM Stan Bowman was forced to let go of several players in the offseason due to the club's salary cap constraints. Although the Blackhawks hit several posts in Wednesday's opener, Chicago failed to score a goal. "Unacceptable," Chicago captain and last year's Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Toews said of his team's effort in Game 1. "We played that like a regular- season game, but it's not a regular-season game. It's a playoff game, and some of us didn't pay the price. We were hearing footsteps. We have to respond better." Vancouver, meanwhile, held a slight 2-1-1 advantage in the regular-season series this year.
Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo stopped 32 shots for the second shutout of his playoff career. Chris Higgins and Jannik Hansen both scored for the Canucks in the 2-0 home victory. But, Luongo realized the recent playoff history between the clubs and put the Game 1 victory into perspective. "This game doesn't mean anything if we don't win the series," said Luongo. "We won Game 1 and that is nice, but we have to come out with a good effort and we still have a lot of work left to do." The Canucks won the series opener against Chicago in each of the last two postseasons, only to watch the Blackhawks win both Western Conference semifinal matchups in six games. Chicago and Vancouver have met two other times in the postseason in addition to their 2009 and 2010 semifinal bouts, and the Blackhawks own a 3-1 edge all- time against the Canucks in the playoffs.
Recent Trends to Consider:
Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings in Vancouver.
Blackhawks are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Vancouver.
Underdog is 18-8 in the last 26 meetings.
Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. Central.
Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Canucks are 8-1 in their last 9 Friday games.
Canucks are 12-2 in their last 14 games playing on 1 days rest.
Blackhawks vs Canucks
When: Friday, April 15, 10:00 PM ET
Pick: Canucks -180
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The Bottom Line: The Canucks are hot at home and so is Luongo. Be sure to check Blackhawks vs Canucks Hockey Point Spreads and get your predictions in early.
