Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks odds, picks and best bets
The Detroit Red Wings (10-29-3) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (18-18-6) Sunday at United Center for a 7:30 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Red Wings-Blackhawks odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup. This is the first meeting of the season between the two.
Detroit lost 4-1 at the Dallas Stars Friday and has dropped seven of eight, and 19 of 22.
Chicago had a three-game win streak snapped with a 7-5 loss at the Vancouver Canucks Thursday.
Red Wings at Blackhawks: Projected starting goalies
Jimmy Howard vs. Corey Crawford
Howard is 2-13-1 with a 4.11 goals against average (GAA) and an .884 save percentage. Howard has lost his last nine starts (0-8-1), allowing 35 goals on 246 shots for a .858 SV%. He is 1-5-1 on the road with a 4.67 GAA.
Crawford is 6-11-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .905 SV%. Crawford, who is on a four-game losing streak, was pulled in the second period of his last start after yielding four goals on 20 shots in a 7-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils Dec. 23.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Red Wings at Blackhawks: Key injuries
Red Wings
- RW Andreas Athanasiou (lower body) out
- D Danny DeKeyser (back) out for season
- D Jonathan Ericsson (nose) out
- RW Anthony Mantha (ribs) out
- D Mike Green (upper body) questionable
Blackhawks
- LW Zack Smith (personal) questionable
- G Robin Lehner (knee) questionable
- D Brent Seabrook (shoulder) out for season
- D Calvin de Haan (shoulder) out for season
- LW Brandon Saad (ankle) out
- LW Drake Caggiula (concussion) out
- RW Andrew Shaw (concussion) out
Red Wings at Blackhawks : Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at Paste BN Sports for a full set of today's betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Blackhawks 5, Red Wings 2
Moneyline (ML)
PASS. The Blackhawks (-208) are too chalky and not worth the risk of laying that kind of juice on a .500 team. The Red Wings (+170) are playing so bad, there's no bet here either.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (PL/ATS)
The BLACKHAWKS ( -1.5, +125) are the STRONGEST PLAY. They're 23-19 vs. the PL overall and 9-9-3 straight up at home. The Red Wings (+1.5, -154) are 17-25 vs. the PL overall and 4-15-2 SU on the road.
New to sports betting? Every $1 wagered on the Blackhawks PL will profit $1.25 if they win by 2 or more goals.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 6.5 (+ 125) is worth a small wager, especially if Howard starts in goal for the Red Wings. His 4.11 GAA ranks last among all goalies. While both offenses average less than 3 goals per game - Chicago is 20th with 2.88 GPG and Detroit last at 2.14 - the defenses are in the top third of goals allowed. Detroit gives up an NHL-most 3.81 per game, and Chicago is 10th at 3.21.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Johnny's record since Dec. 1: 25-13-1. Strongest plays: 13-4.
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