CHICAGO _ With a plus-130 line at several sports books, the Chicago Blackhawks aren't the worst bet to advance past the NHL play-in round. That would be the Montreal Canadiens, a fellow 12th seed, at plus-170.
If the league's return-to-play plan goes on without a hitch _ namely, a surge in coronavirus cases among players or a hub city _ the fifth-seeded Edmonton Oilers will be heavy favorites (minus-150), but they won't take the Hawks lightly.
Remember that it was out of concern about facing stars such as the Hawks' Patrick Kane and Canadiens goalie Carey Price that players and team executives nixed the idea of a three-game series in favor of a five-game format, according to "Hockey Night in Canada" analyst Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman said late last month, before the league and union settled on a playoff plan, "I did hear the Western teams, and now I hear that it's going to be Edmonton, they were like, 'Two out of three with Patrick Kane? I mean, c'mon.' "
Experience and three Stanley Cup titles must count for something, if not betting odds.
Here are 10 potential factors in the Blackhawks-Oilers series and how they apply to each team.
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