NHL hockey betting is on the docket at sportsbooks, and we’ve got a nice position in the Western Conference showdown between the Chicago Blackhawks and Vancouver Canucks.  The Blackhawks are 2 points behind the San Jose Sharks for the Western Conference lead and 5 points behind the Washington Capitals for best overall record.  The Canucks are in third place but are 9 points out of second.  Both teams have two games under their belts since the return from the Winter Olympic break, with the Blackhawks winning both and the Canucks splitting their games.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Some interest in Vancouver as a road dog here, but an even stronger play appears to be the total.  The Blackhawks are the #4 scoring teams in the league and the Canucks are #2.  Both teams are top ten ranked defensively as well, but as the season has progressed they’ve become much more offensively oriented.  Weaker teams can compete in a slowdown game, so the best way for both squads to leverage their superior talent is by scoring goals in bunches.

After a long break like the Olympic shutdown its never easy for teams to regain their momentum.  What typically happens, however, is that the component of the game most difficult to recover is defensive intensity.  Both teams have played Over in both of their post Olympic games, Vancouver has gone Over in 4 straight overall while the Blackhawks have gone Over in five straight.  The head to head tally between these teams is somewhat enigmatic, but in the L12 contests they’ve combined for an average of 6 total goals.  With the defenses trying to get back in gear after the long layoff and the potent offense on both teams we’ll look for a high scoring contest here.

PLAY CHICAGO/VANCOUVER OVER 5′ -110