Saturday's best NHL bets
Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks (-105, 5.5)
The Canucks are reaching into the magic time machine to see if a wily veteran can provide some aid for the team?s recent defensive struggles.
With defenseman Sami Salo going down with a groin injury Thursday, Vancouver called up Nolan Baumgartner from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
The 33-year-old Baumgarter has appeared in 131 NHL games between the Capitals, Blackhawks, Penguins, Canucks and Stars but hasn?t played in the league since the 2006-07 campaign.
The Canucks defensive line is already depleted with Kevin Bieksa (foot) and Willie Mitchell (upper body) on the bench with injuries.
?A lot of good defensemen are on the sidelines and they're obviously tough to replace,? Christian Ehrhoff said. ?I feel good playing a lot more minutes ? it's a good challenge.?
More minutes for fewer quality players equates to tired legs. Vancouver has given up no less than two goals in the team?s last six games and is surrendering an average of 3.0 gpg during that span.
Pick: Over
Phoenix Coyotes at Washington Capitals (-210, 6)
The Coyotes are on the brink of an ownership change, but that doesn?t seem to be affecting the players.
Phoenix has won three of its last four games and seems to be playing with a chip on its shoulders with fans anticipating the organization?s financial problems to cause a late-season collapse.
"Everyone expected us to be giving away games," said forward Vernon Fiddler.
"We're pretty grounded here," Shane Doan told ESPN.com. "The one thing I've learned is to be patient and wait and see what happens."
What?s happening now is that the Coyotes are playing well consistently (only one three-game losing streak all season) and occupy the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Caps and Coyotes have not played this season, but Phoenix has taken four of the last five in the series including two straight.
As hot as Washington is right now, the hefty moneyline Phoenix has been given here is too much to pass up.
Pick: Coyotes
Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks (-105, 5.5)
The Canucks are reaching into the magic time machine to see if a wily veteran can provide some aid for the team?s recent defensive struggles.
With defenseman Sami Salo going down with a groin injury Thursday, Vancouver called up Nolan Baumgartner from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
The 33-year-old Baumgarter has appeared in 131 NHL games between the Capitals, Blackhawks, Penguins, Canucks and Stars but hasn?t played in the league since the 2006-07 campaign.
The Canucks defensive line is already depleted with Kevin Bieksa (foot) and Willie Mitchell (upper body) on the bench with injuries.
?A lot of good defensemen are on the sidelines and they're obviously tough to replace,? Christian Ehrhoff said. ?I feel good playing a lot more minutes ? it's a good challenge.?
More minutes for fewer quality players equates to tired legs. Vancouver has given up no less than two goals in the team?s last six games and is surrendering an average of 3.0 gpg during that span.
Pick: Over
Phoenix Coyotes at Washington Capitals (-210, 6)
The Coyotes are on the brink of an ownership change, but that doesn?t seem to be affecting the players.
Phoenix has won three of its last four games and seems to be playing with a chip on its shoulders with fans anticipating the organization?s financial problems to cause a late-season collapse.
"Everyone expected us to be giving away games," said forward Vernon Fiddler.
"We're pretty grounded here," Shane Doan told ESPN.com. "The one thing I've learned is to be patient and wait and see what happens."
What?s happening now is that the Coyotes are playing well consistently (only one three-game losing streak all season) and occupy the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference standings.
The Caps and Coyotes have not played this season, but Phoenix has taken four of the last five in the series including two straight.
As hot as Washington is right now, the hefty moneyline Phoenix has been given here is too much to pass up.
Pick: Coyotes
