Picks: Wild over Blackhawks, Bruins will roll
Chicago Blackhawks at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET
One of the budding rivalries coming out of the NHL’s last round of realignment has been the one between the Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild. It’s been a little one-sided when it comes to the playoffs, but that doesn’t make it any less heated.
It’s not quite to the level of the 1980s rumbles between the Hawks and the old Minnesota North Stars, but seeing each other as often as they have over the last three years is bound to breed some ill will.
On its way to the Stanley Cup last year, Chicago dispatched Minnesota from the playoffs in a quick sweep. It was the third consecutive year that the Wild’s season ended at the hands of their divisional foe.
However, it’s a new year. The Blackhawks have a new team and lately they’ve had a hard time scoring goals. Chicago has scored just one goal in each of its last three games. Only one of those three goals has come in regulation as Chicago has somehow escaped that rough patch with a 2-1-0 record. It’s no coincidence that the scoring woes come with Duncan Keith absent due to his knee surgery.
This presents a pretty good opportunity for the Wild. The Blackhawks are on the second half of back-to-back games after suffering a tough 3-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Thursday. Minnesota can trot out starter Devan Dubnyk, while Chicago is likely to start backup Scott Darling. Additionally, with the Blackhawks struggling to score, they have to go up against a team that has been fairly stingy defensively when it comes to shots allowed.
Chicago’s offensive woes probably won’t last long, but when you consider all of the circumstances surrounding this particular game, it favors the Wild to come out with a win. Pick: Wild 3, Blackhawks 2
The Wild will welcome their old rivals to Minnesota Friday. (USATSI)
The rest of Friday’s picks
Philadelphia Flyers 3, Buffalo Sabres 2
New York Rangers 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 2
Washington Capitals 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3, Colorado Avalanche 2
Detroit Red Wings 4, Ottawa Senators 3
Boston Bruins 4, Florida Panthers 2
Montreal Canadiens 5, Calgary Flames 3
Arizona Coyotes 3, Vancouver Canucks 1
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