Hockey Day (February 17) Preview
Today is jam packed with hockey games that promise exciting action from start to finish. You can’t watch and bet on all the games, though. Here are a handful of game previews that will perhaps help you decide how to bet or, at the least, which games to watch.
LA Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks on NBC 3:35 p.m. ET
The Chicago Blackhawks are on a rampage. They are two games shy of tying the 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks for most consecutive games with a point at the start of a season. The Blackhawks sit at 11-0-3 and have poised themselves as the team to beat this year if you want to be considered a legit contender. Before the Blackhakws can conquer the previously mentioned record they will have to go through the LA Kings.
The LA Kings, on the other hand, have not had as good of a start to the season. AT 5-5 -2 they have yet to win more than two games in a row. The defending Stanley Cup champions have been inconsistent thus far in the season, and it looks as they they may slip out of the Cup contention if they do not find their footing soon. A good place to start would be stifling the red hot Blackhawks.
The Blackhawks are favored by 1.5 points according to the spread at Bovada. The money line to bet on the Blackhawks is at -143. To be on the Kings the money line is at +150.
St. Louis Blues @ Vancouver Canucks on FS-Midwest or Sportsnet-Pacific 9:05 p.m. ET
This may be a late night game, but it is worth staying up for as two of the best teams in the NHL go head to head.  Only a point separates them in the Western Conference standings. Both teams have won eight games and both teams feel like they have to get something going to eventual make a run at the Blackhawks, who are sitting comfortable on top of the standings.
The St. Louis Blues are coming off a big overtime win in the motor city and will be looking to continue that momentum as they head to Vancouver. The Canucks suffered a disappointing loss after allowing a 3-1 lead slip through their fingers. The Dallas Stars came back to beat the Canucks 4-3. The Canucks will be looking to get back on track with a win against the Blues.
The Canucks are favored by 1.5 points. The money line to bet on them is at -133 comapred to the Blues +121.
