FREE PLAY
Ducks/Hawks
Something interesting has developed in the past two seasons, and that is the consistent maintenance in hierarchy of things in the West. Tonight, a Clash of the Titans matchup will involve the two best teams in the standings over the past two seasons. The Anaheim Ducks have now become the team to beat, as they are in sole position of first place in the NHL. They have won nine straight, and are now travelling to the Windy City to face the currently second place and defending champion Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim will be listed as underdogs for the first time since their last loss.
Normally I would not tamper with a matchup between these two, especially in regards to a total. Both of these teams have the ability to score goals at will, but both of them also have the ability to kill the clock with elite puck management. However, one statement from Blackhawks Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson strongly suggested Chicago's gameplan. The Swede mentioned that the Ducks are the team to beat, and that the Hawks would have to play a very strong defensive game to have a chance in this one.
When Chicago has a defensive mind state, you best believe they are going to come out and defend the hell out of their zone. It starts with Coach Quenville. With the forwards, it begins with their two way (Perennial Selke Candidate) Captain Jonathan Toews. Besides, it is not hard to get into a defensive mentality after seeing the opponent coming off a 9-1 win over another team known for their defense.
The Ducks may be on a tear right now, where they appear to be virtually unstoppable. However, scoring nine goals will definitely naturally give a team a feeling that they have met their quota for the week at least. The momentum will still be there in terms of chemistry, but do not expect the Ducks to have their way with Chicago the way they did with Vancouver. Discipline will be the main focus of the Hawks, and the odd man advantages should be few and far between.
All in all, every recent battle between these two have been in the trenches. Ever since both teams made their rise to be elite, the meetings between them have been neutral zone wars that led to 4 of the last 5 staying under. The Personnel from top to bottom have hardly changed for either team, so the gameplan should hold a similar approach from the last meeting earlier this season. Expect this to be tight, regardless of scoring potential.
PLAY: UNDER 5.5 +105
Ducks/Hawks
Something interesting has developed in the past two seasons, and that is the consistent maintenance in hierarchy of things in the West. Tonight, a Clash of the Titans matchup will involve the two best teams in the standings over the past two seasons. The Anaheim Ducks have now become the team to beat, as they are in sole position of first place in the NHL. They have won nine straight, and are now travelling to the Windy City to face the currently second place and defending champion Chicago Blackhawks. Anaheim will be listed as underdogs for the first time since their last loss.
Normally I would not tamper with a matchup between these two, especially in regards to a total. Both of these teams have the ability to score goals at will, but both of them also have the ability to kill the clock with elite puck management. However, one statement from Blackhawks Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson strongly suggested Chicago's gameplan. The Swede mentioned that the Ducks are the team to beat, and that the Hawks would have to play a very strong defensive game to have a chance in this one.
When Chicago has a defensive mind state, you best believe they are going to come out and defend the hell out of their zone. It starts with Coach Quenville. With the forwards, it begins with their two way (Perennial Selke Candidate) Captain Jonathan Toews. Besides, it is not hard to get into a defensive mentality after seeing the opponent coming off a 9-1 win over another team known for their defense.
The Ducks may be on a tear right now, where they appear to be virtually unstoppable. However, scoring nine goals will definitely naturally give a team a feeling that they have met their quota for the week at least. The momentum will still be there in terms of chemistry, but do not expect the Ducks to have their way with Chicago the way they did with Vancouver. Discipline will be the main focus of the Hawks, and the odd man advantages should be few and far between.
All in all, every recent battle between these two have been in the trenches. Ever since both teams made their rise to be elite, the meetings between them have been neutral zone wars that led to 4 of the last 5 staying under. The Personnel from top to bottom have hardly changed for either team, so the gameplan should hold a similar approach from the last meeting earlier this season. Expect this to be tight, regardless of scoring potential.
PLAY: UNDER 5.5 +105
