Chicago Blackhawks v Nashville Predators
Ice Hockey: Western Conference Quarter Final Game 1
Saturday 17th April 2010 - Start 1:30am GMT

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Preview

These 2 sides are the last to open up their Conference Quarter Finals and the heavily fancied Chicago Blackhawks, not just for this series but for the Stanley Cup, will look to make the most of home advantage over the next couple of days before heading over to Nashville.

The opening days of the playoffs have seen a number of surprises which should focus Chicago a little more. The Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks have all lost matches as the favourites, 3 of those sides losing on home ice.

Chicago finished with a 52-22-8 record compared with Nashville's 47-29-6, and while these records are close, the Blackhawks do hold a distinct advantage with their record on home ice. Chicago finished the season 29-8-4 record at the United Center and Nashville will hope to improve their 23-15-3 record on the road.

The 2 sides are opposites of each other, with Chicago relying on a potent offense while the Predators were solid defensively since the Winter Olympics concluded. Both clubs come into the playoffs in decent form, Chicago winning 6 of their last 7 games, and Nashville have won 4 of their last 6.

Both teams will be playing goal tenders that have yet to play in a playoff game in their career which brings a different pressure to the table. The Predators also have the millstone of losing their last 10 playoff games on the road and they will have to change that if they are to knock off the 2nd seeds in the Western Conference.

Chicago and Nashville met 6 times this season but all of these meetings took place before 2010. The Blackhawks lead the series 4-2 and are 2-1 at the United Center.

Prediction

Chicago are a genuine threat to the other teams who are thinking about winning the Stanley Cup this season. Their offense takes a lot of the plaudits but they are very strong defensively too and will be able to protect their rookie in goal. After reaching the Western Conference Finals last season, I feel the Blackhawks could go a couple of steps further this season.

The Nashville Predators have been playing well defensively in recent games but they have managed to make the playoffs with the same number of goals scored as they have conceded. This team has the 'x factor'- there is something about them that makes them especially tough to beat although they do not seem to be loaded either offensively, defensively, or in their special teams department. They will feel confident of their chances of success if they can split the series here in Chicago and effectively take home advantage.

Its been a bad start for favourite backers this week with a number of them falling in their opening games, but I feel Chicago can turn that around here. The Blackhawks have been dominant in front of their own fans this season and I think they will make a good start as they look to take a lead to Nashville.

I'll take the Blackhawks to win the opening match.

The Pick :

Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 Nashville Predators

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Chicago Blackhawks WIN