PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOP TOTALS TICKET >> 85-55-2 Overall L39 Days!
(NHL) Nashville vs. Chicago,
Total: 5.50 | -104.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 5.50 | -104.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Chicago Blackhawks won Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015 and after massing a Western Conference-leading 109 points last season, were expected to make a strong run at the fourth title since 2010. However, Chicago's postseason hopes were extinguished in the first round as the Blackhawks were handed a stunning four-game sweep by the eighth-seeded Nashville Predators. Chicago (3-1-1) suffered its first regulation loss of the news season at the hands of Minnesota on Thursday (5-2) and will welcome the 2-2-0 Predators to the United Center for the first time since losing to them in last year's playoffs.
Nashville: The Predators opened the season with a pair of losses but have rebounded to win their last two (6-5 and 4-1) behind three goals and five assists from Filip Forsberg. Nashville features one of the top defenses in the league but could be shorthanded against Chicago. Captain Roman Josi sat out practice Friday due to a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for the past two games and Yannick Weber had to leave Thursday's loss after taking a shoulder to the head and is listed as day-to-day. Pekka Rinne started in net for both Predators' victories this week and is expected to earn the nod again vs. Chicago. Rinne is 2-1-0 with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage this season.
Chicago: Nick Schmaltz combined with linemates Patrick Kane and Ryan Hartman for 10 points in a 10-1 romp over Pittsburgh back on Oct. 6, before he suffered an upper-body injury in the next game versus Columbus. Schmaltz has missed the past three games but is expected to rejoin the lineup for Saturday's matchup. "He has a lot of speed and it makes the defense second-guess. ... It gives the guy with the puck more time with the puck. He's definitely a key part to our success," said Hartman. The Blackhawks lead the league with 23 goals.
The pick: There we be no lack of motivation for Chicago in this one (early-season game or not) and in particular, Chicago needs to re-establish its ability to score against Nashville (and Rinne). After all, in last year's 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Predators, Chicago managed just three goals and was shut out in both home games! The Preds come in 0-2-0 on the road so far, having allowed four goals in each loss. The Over is a 10* play in this one.
Nashville: The Predators opened the season with a pair of losses but have rebounded to win their last two (6-5 and 4-1) behind three goals and five assists from Filip Forsberg. Nashville features one of the top defenses in the league but could be shorthanded against Chicago. Captain Roman Josi sat out practice Friday due to a lower-body injury that has sidelined him for the past two games and Yannick Weber had to leave Thursday's loss after taking a shoulder to the head and is listed as day-to-day. Pekka Rinne started in net for both Predators' victories this week and is expected to earn the nod again vs. Chicago. Rinne is 2-1-0 with a 3.09 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage this season.
Chicago: Nick Schmaltz combined with linemates Patrick Kane and Ryan Hartman for 10 points in a 10-1 romp over Pittsburgh back on Oct. 6, before he suffered an upper-body injury in the next game versus Columbus. Schmaltz has missed the past three games but is expected to rejoin the lineup for Saturday's matchup. "He has a lot of speed and it makes the defense second-guess. ... It gives the guy with the puck more time with the puck. He's definitely a key part to our success," said Hartman. The Blackhawks lead the league with 23 goals.
The pick: There we be no lack of motivation for Chicago in this one (early-season game or not) and in particular, Chicago needs to re-establish its ability to score against Nashville (and Rinne). After all, in last year's 4-0 sweep at the hands of the Predators, Chicago managed just three goals and was shut out in both home games! The Preds come in 0-2-0 on the road so far, having allowed four goals in each loss. The Over is a 10* play in this one.
