This could be the best series in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs. The
defending champion Chicago Blackhawks (47-26-9) have drawn the St. Louis
Blues (49-24-9) in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Game 1 is
Wednesday night at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, starting at 9:30
PM ET on NBCSN. Oddsmakers have the Blues as a -125 favorite on the
moneyline in Game #1 and the total is sitting at 5.
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Although the Blues finished the 2015-2016 regular season with the better
record, Chicago skates into the playoffs with shorter odds on the
Stanley Cup futures market. The Hawks are the second-favorites at +800
(along with LA, Anaheim, Dallas and Pittsburgh), a step ahead of St.
Louis at +1000. These two teams faced each other five times during the
regular season; the Blues won three games, with the total split evenly
at 2-2-1.
Chicago will be without defenseman Duncan Keith (nine goals, 43 points)
for Wednesday's opener. The two-time Norris Trophy winner has one game
left to go in his six-game suspension for hitting Minnesota Wild forward
Charlie Coyle in the face with his stick. The Hawks also have a number
of players listed as questionable for Game 1, including top-line centre
Artem Anisimov (20 goals, 42 points) and second-line right wing Marian
Hossa (13 goals, 33 points). The Blues will have all their key players
available Wednesday.
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NHL Odds: Hawks Begin Cup Defense Versus Blues - Handicappers Hideaway