The Chicago Blackhawks secured a spot in the upcoming playoffs last night as they defeated the Nucks 3-1 home at United Center. Now they're travelling to Bufffalo to take on the Sabres the very next day, and I think we'll see a low-paced low-scoring game between two rather uninterested teams.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Scott Darling - As Corey Crawford tended the net last night and there's no reason risking any wear and tear on their top netminder we can expect the Blackhawks to give Scott Darling the go-ahead in goal tonight. Darling has been exceptional of late, stopping 69 of 70 shots over his last three outings and is posting a 1.77 GAA on the season.

2. Trends - The under is a solid 11-1-2 in the Blackhawks last 14 games playing on back-to-back nights and 8-3-2 in their last 13 overall. Furthermore the under has been money when Chicago's been playing on the road all season long as it is posting a 21-10 record for the total in favor of the under.

3. X-Factor - The Sabres are on an unwanted winning streak of two games and are getting booed whenever scoring a goal. I doubt they'll get much support from their home fans tonight either with Buffalo closing in on Arizona for second to last in the NHL which would put their chances of getting the first round pick in the upcoming draft in jeopardy.


Selection: This is a play on CHI@BUF to go under the total..(8*)