LOS ANGELES KINGS @ CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Ice Hockey : North America : NHL
Wednesday, December 28th, 2011, 8:30PM US
(1:30AM GMT)

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PREVIEW

Chicago have the best record in the NHL at the moment, with a 23-9-4 mark and they are at home, where they should easily put an end to Los Angeles' 1 game winning streak. Los Angeles banged in 4 goals for the first time in 15 games to slip past Phoenix 4-3 on Monday. I reckon they come out flat here and get tonked.

The Chicago Blackhawks have won 5 straight home games and are on an 8-1-1 run. They have already beaten the Kings, in LA, in their only meeting this season, almost a month ago. The score was 2-1. They too banged in 4 on Monday to beat Columbus 4-1. The defence here in Chicago will be too much for the Kings, who are averaging 2.14 per game and will do very well to net twice against the Blackhawks.

Chicago are going to play 8 of their next 9 games at home, including this one. They know it is a great chance to pull away from other teams than are close behind them, and the Kings are one of those teams they should beat, on current form. The 'Hawks are loaded with talent, especially Viktor Stalberg, who has emerged from nowhere and is in serious form at the moment, scoring 4 goals, 3 assists and accumulating 7 points in his last 4 games.

Chicago Blackhawks' Corey Crawford has really shone in between the pipes in his recent games and he should be relied on to perform the way he did in LA last month, where he let in just 1 goal. Crawford has never lost against LA in 4 meetings, and has a 1.75GAA against the Kings.

BETTING VERDICT

Chicago should win this one with ease and I'll take them in regulation here.

The Pick :

Chicago in regulation

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take the Chicago Blackhawks -0.5 (Regulation) @ 1.97 (Pinnacle)