Stanley Cup Odds – Chicago at Vancouver on Versus. The defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks take on the team with the best record in the NHL on Wednesday in Stanley Cup odds, the Vancouver Canucks in Game 1 of their seven-game first round playoff series. The Blackhawks were fortunate just to make the playoffs but they are a dangerous foe for the top-seeded Canucks. Stanley Cup lines favor Vancouver in the series and in Game 1 on Wednesday.
Canucks -175, total 5.5 under at SBG
The Canucks are solid favorites in Game 1 on Wednesday night as they host the Blackhawks. Vancouver finished with the best record in the NHL and it was no fluke as the Canucks led the league in goals per game and in fewest goals against. They don’t seem to have a weakness except for a lack of playoff success. The Canucks are one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup but to do so they have to get past their playoff nemesis, the Blackhawks. Chicago has knocked the Canucks out of the playoffs the past two seasons.
Season Series
The Canucks went 2-1-1 against Chicago which in reality is 2-2 since a loss in overtime is still a loss. The Blackhawks won the first two matchups while the Canucks won the last two.
Vancouver won the Presidents’ Trophy for the league’s top record and they clinched that a couple of weeks ago. They haven’t played a meaningful game in a while so it will be interesting to see if there is any rust on Wednesday. The Canucks have the league’s top scorer in Daniel Sedin who finished with 104 points. They also have the league’s best goals against average with Roberto Luongo and Corey Schneider in goal. If the Canucks are to finally get past Chicago they need the Sedin twins to finally play well in the playoffs. Last year they combined for just 10 points in the six games.
Game Notes
The Blackhawks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. the Northwest. The Blackhawks are 6-2 in Stanley Cup odds in their last 8 playoff games as an underdog. The Canucks are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. the Central. The Canucks are 70-31 in their last 101 games as a home favorite. Five of the last seven Chicago road games have gone under. The Under is 3-0-1 in the Canucks last 4 home games. In this series, the Over is 9-1-1 in the last 11 meetings in Vancouver.