2011 NHL Playoffs Picks – Blackhawks @ Canucks Game 1 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 4/13/11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds: Chicago Blackhawks @ Vancouver Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/13/11: The Chicago Blackhawks weaseled there way into the postseason picture on Sunday afternoon and they will now have to try and surmount the NHL’s best club in the regular season. They are nowhere near the level they were at when they entered the playoffs last season, but the playoffs offer teams’ reprise and the Blackhawks have the ability and experience to put together a long postseason stretch. Corey Crawford is the questionable weak-link as the opening game creeps closer, the Canadian veteran has become known for his inconsistent play and soft goaltending technique. There is no question that Crawford has the uncanny ability to shut out teams’ but he must find his ‘groove’ early and settle in as the Vancouver Canucks are relentless at putting the puck on net. Jonathon Toews will be the catalyst once again for this club, he put this team on his shoulders last postseason and he has every intention of doing it again. He had 76 points this season and he posted a staggering +25 rating in 80 games played. Some analysts believe this team got lazy this season and were not willing to play defense before offense. Some others point to how young this club is, there success may have come to early in their careers. However you chalk up the Blackhawks woes this season they are a dangerous hockey team that will make a valiant run at Lord Stanley this postseason.

The Presidents’ trophy was nice, but the Vancouver Canucks are primed for Lord Stanley this year. They rolled through their regular season slate on way to a 118 point season and many are saying that this Canucks’ club is one of the most rounded and perfectly assembled team in some time. The Sedin twins are relentless and they will be called on to lead this club to glory this spring. Roberto Luluongo is ready to shake his playoff demons and settle into a comfortable zone for the duration of their run. He has come to be known for not exercising his ghosts of playoffs’ past, but ask any team personnel and they will say that the veteran net minder is bringing a new found mentality and work ethic to the rink every day. Roberto is the quintessential x-factor that will make or break the Canucks’ Stanley Cup aspirations, they will go as far as Luluongo plays. Christopher Higgins was an excellent acquisition at the trade deadline and his big body presence in the middle of the ice will shore up an absence the Canucks’ have had in playoffs’ of past. He moves the puck well and he commits to the defensive side of the game before offense.

We will recommend a play on the Blackhawks tonight in the opening game of this western conference heavy-weight series. For all of the Canucks success they have struggled mightily with the Blackhawks over the years. Chicago has the Canucks number and I expect this series to go 7 games. Vancouver has high expectations being the Presidents’ trophy winner and the Blackhawks have everything to gain in this postseason. I believe the Hawks’ will bring a free will and intense brand of hockey into this series and I expect it to give the Canucks ‘fits. The first game of the series always favors the road team as the pressure of performing on home ice is absent. Watch for the Blackhawks to jump out of the gates in this game and notch some goals early and often before settling into a defensive mind frame. The Canucks have the talent and skill to overcome the pressure that they are experiencing right now, but the issues they have with containing the speedy Hawks’ wingers and solving their zone defensive play will be too much in game 1. We will consider the Hawks’ stealing the opening game of this best of 7 western conference series. Cheers!

Free Pick: Chicago Blackhawks +165(moneyline)
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