Chicago Blackhawks vs Detroit Red Wings Betting Picks

Revenge, a key injury, fatigue, and a lesser goalie are among the factors pointing to a clear-cut Detroit victory. The Blackhawks stunned the Red Wings, 5-1, in the first meeting this season on Nov. 9. Detroit was minus $1.76 in that game. Chicago suffered a 3-2 loss to the Blues last night. Worse, Connor Bedard sustained an injury in the final second of that game and is out for this matchup. Chicago has managed only eight goals during its last five games. The Blackhawks are giving up an average of four goals per game during their previous four games. This is the third time this season the Blackhawks are playing without rest. They lost the two earlier games in this situation by a combined 12 goals. Backup goalie Arvid Soderblom is expected to start for Chicago. He is much worse than starter Spencer Knight. Soderblom has a 3.92 GAA and a .877 save percentage. Take the Red Wings.

After losing the first three games of their current road trip, the Blackhawks have come on strong. Chicago has defeated Vancouver, 5-2, and shut out Calgary, 4-0, in its last two games, both in a midsize underdog role. The  Blackhawks are riding plenty of momentum as they close their six-game road swing as  underdogs again. The Red Wings are slumping. Their only victory in the last four games came in a 3-2 shootout as big road favorites against the Sharks. Detroit has managed only six goals during these past four games, just one in its last two games. Chicago's top goalie, Spencer Knight, is projected to be in net. Knight made 33 saves in the shutout win against the Flames. He has wins in five of his last seven starts and points in eight of his last nine outings. Knight has a .926 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average in 11 games this season. The Red Wings are in a 1-for-15 slump on the power play. Take the Blackhawks.

Chicago has won two of three. They're ranked 12th in the NHL on the power play and fourth in penalty killing. 20-year-old center Frank Nazar has played well since he was recalled from the minors last month. The Black Hawks come off a 3-1 win over Colorado as a +200 underdog. They're on a 5-6 run cashing as dogs of +160, +165, +125, +130, and +200. They face a streaky Detroit squad that has won five in a row following a 3-10 stretch. The offense is 25th in scoring, while the defense is 31st in penalty killing, 25th in goals allowed, and 19th in save percentage. Play Chicago. 

Detroit has won four of seven after beating Buffalo, 2-1. They have a Top 10 power play along with a defense that is fifth in the NHL in save percentage (.912). The Red Wings are working on three days of rest. Chicago is working on two days of rest and returns home from a five-game trip, including back-to-back road games on Saturday and Sunday. The Blackhawks are 22nd in goals scored, while the defense is 16th in goals given up and 24th in shots on goal allowed. Chicago is on a 7-16 run and has lost three straight home games. Play Detroit. 

Detroit's several years of rebuilding is finally paying off as the Red Wings are in playoff position and are on a current four-game win streak after defeating St. Louis 6-1 on Saturday. Alex DeBrincat had two goals and Detroit scored three times in the first six minutes against the Blues. James Reimer is confirmed in net and he had a shutout with 38 saves his last outing as the Red Wings beat Calgary 5-0 on Feb. 17. Chicago has lost 20 of 24 games, including a 3-2 overtime loss to Winnipeg on Friday. Goalie Petr Mrazek is 13-22-3 with a 2.99 goals-against average. The Blackhawks are 4-23 their past 27 Sunday games and they are averaging only 2.07 goals per game this season. Take the Red Wings as a Max Play