Thursday, April 3, 8:00 PM on NBCS, TSN2, CSNC

United Center, Chicago, Illinois

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Already without Patrick Kane for likely the remainder of the regular season, the Blackhawks were dealt a blow when Jonathon Toews was knocked out of Sunday's hard hitting game in Pittsburgh. Toews is listed as questionable but might be held out of Thursday's game against Minnesota for his own good. The Wild have no problem with that as they play one of their last two road games of the year with 6 tilts remaining before they head to the playoffs.

Minnesota has won 2 of 3 on their current 4 game road trip after being underdogs in each game. They've knocked out playoff contenders Phoenix and LA in back to back nights and look to steal one more in the United Center against the slumping 'Hawks. Thursday's game is a classic offense versus defense matchup as Minnesota ranks 6th in the league in goals against while Chicago is the #2 scoring team.

The Blackhawks need a win Thursday if anything to restore their confidence heading into the postseason. The defending Stanley Cup Champions have dropped 3 straight games and have only 6 remaining on the schedule. Toews' injury is not considered to be serious but Chicago could find themselves headed to Colorado for the 1st two playoff games as the Avalanche have opened up a 3 point lead for home ice.

Chicago is 1-3 against the Wild this season including a 1-2 loss on January 3rd. Minnesota scored two goals in the first period and held off Chicago until the 19:28 mark in the third to capture the win. Minnesota cashed out at home as +115 favorites as the oddsmakers had listed the Blackhawks as -125 road favorites.

ATS Trends

Minnesota is 16-23 straight up on the road this season

Minnesota is 13-16-10 against the over/under on the road this season

Chicago is 24-14 straight up at home this season

Chicago is 16-21-0 against the over/under at home this season

Injuries to Watch

Minnesota 

04/01/14 C Mikael Granlund Concussion questionable Thursday vs. Chicago
04/01/14 RW Nino Niederreiter Concussion questionable Thursday vs. Chicago
03/26/14 D Keith Ballard Groin out indefinitely
03/23/14 D Clayton Stoner Knee expected to miss 7-10 days
03/12/14 LW Jason Zucker Quad out for season
03/05/14 GO Niklas Backstrom Abdominal out for season
01/06/14 GO Josh Harding Illness out indefinitely

Chicago 

11/16/13 GO Nikolai Khabibulin Rotator Cuff out 4-5 months
11/05/13 C Brad Mills Ankle out indefinitely
04/02/14 C Jonathan Toews Upper Body questionable Thursday vs Minnesota
03/30/14 LW Bryan Bickell Upper Body questionable Thursday vs Minnesota
03/20/14 RW Patrick Kane Knee expected to miss 2-3 weeks
03/18/14 D Michal Rozsival Lower Body out indefinitely

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago

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