The Vancouver Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks tonight, Wednesday May 05, as Game 3 of the best of seven series is considered the swing game. The Blackhawks won Game 2, 4-2 as -154 home favs as the series sits knotted at one apiece. NHL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Canucks as -130 moneyline home favorites over the Blackhawks (+110) with the over/under set at 6 goals . Be sure to get your 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks Game 3 Odds & Prediction in now at BODOG.com
The Blackhawks walked away winners of Game 2 as a late third period goal put them up 3-2 and then an empty netter sealed the deal. They got goals from Brent Seabrook, Patrick Sharp, Kris Versteeg and Patrick Kane. Goalie Antti Niemi stopped 24 of 26 shots and is 5-3 with a 2.60 GAA and two shutouts in his first playoff appearance as a rookie. The Hawks couldn’t explain the slow start at the beginning of the game . "I think it was a little bit of everything," he said. "We talked for the last day and half about coming out with a better effort, and wanting to play strong. I'm not exactly sure what happened — maybe trying a little too hard." Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook has a goal and six assists in his last four games after being held without a point for the first four games of the postseason. Neither team has any new injuries and they’ll likely ice the same line-ups. In last year's second-round matchup between these teams, the Canucks took Game 1 and blew a two-goal lead before losing Game 2. In this year's matchup, the Canucks took Game 1 and blew a two-goal lead before losing Game 2. If you believe history repeats itself, the Canucks won Game 3 last year.
The Canucks jumped out to a 2-0 lead just 5:02 in the first and sat back the rest of the game with no other offense. Goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 30 of 33 shots and was minutes away from overtime, but had to settle for the loss giving him a 5-3 playoff record and 2.69 GAA. The Nucks will be tested again tonight and they’ll have to be at their best with home town pressure on their backs. "It's still 1-1 and we're looking forward to the next game," Samuelsson said. "Nobody expected us to win in four straight games. It's going to be a battle and it should be a battle." Vancouver was outscored 3-1 at even strength in Game 2, marking the first time they lost the 5-on-5 battle in eight games this postseason. All of the Canucks' big guns have been firing throughout the postseason, but Mason Raymond has a pair of goals and an assist in the first two games of this series.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 3-0-1 in the last 4 meetings.
- Over is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Vancouver.
- Underdog is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings.
- Blackhawks are 5-13 in the last 18 meetings in Vancouver.
- Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 playoff games as a favorite of -110 to -150.
- Canucks are 4-0 in their last 4 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
- Canucks are 6-1 in their last 7 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Canucks are 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks
When: Wednesday May 05, 2010 9:30 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Canucks -130
Point-Spreads.com 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks Game 3 Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: The Canucks should come hard and must keep playing hard for 60 minutes. Be sure to get your 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs: Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks Game 3 Odds & Predictions in now at BODOG.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
