NHL Betting: Blackhawks Bottle Lightning in 5-1 Win

No, Martin Havlat isn’t being forced to perform in a hazing ritual. He’s being congratulated for a goal. (AP Images)

The young Chicago Blackhawks have been one of the NHL’s surprise teams. And they got even better on Wednesday night when their best player returned from injury.

Martin Havlat scored two goals as the Blackhawks whipped the Tampa Bay Lightning, 5-1, at the United Center. Chicago paid -125 on the puckline (meaning a winning hockey bet of $125 would net $100). The betting total flew over 5.5 goals.

Former ’Ning goalie Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 21 shots for the win. Red-hot Patrick Sharp and rookie Jonathan Toews also scored for the Hawks, who have won four straight at home. With the influx of Havlat’s speed and offense, they’re even more dangerous. The winger had missed 22 games with a shoulder injury.

In other NHL action on Wednesday:

New York Islanders 3, Ottawa 2: The Islanders continued their re-emergence in the East as they beat the conference’s best team. Rick DiPietro made 35 saves and Mike Sillinger scored the winning goal in a shootout as the Islanders paid +140 at home.

Minnesota 3, Phoenix 1: Marian Gaborik notched his fourth goal in as many games to lead the Wild at home, where they were -190 favorites.

St. Louis 4, Buffalo 3: Brad Boyes scored the tie-breaking goal with less than a minute to play in the third period and the Blues won their third in a row. They paid +120 in Buffalo.

Florida 2, Washington 1: The Panthers, +120 underdogs, got goals from Richard Zednik and Stephen Weiss to win in the nation’s capital.

New Jersey 4, Dallas 2: The Devils rallied from two goals down to win at home as -140 favorites.

Philadelphia 3, Carolina 1: Mike Knuble had a goal and two assists to lead the Flyers in Raleigh, N.C., where they were +135 underdogs.

Colorado 4, Edmonton 2: The Avalanche stormed out to a 4-0 lead and held on to beat the Oilers in Denver. The Avs were -200 favorites.

For NHL odds for Thursday, tee up at the Bodog Sportsbook.