The Blackhawks seemingly had a stronghold on the fourth seed in the Western Conference five weeks ago, but an impressive surge by Vancouver has the Canucks on Chicago's heels.

The Blackhawks aren't the only team the Canucks are trying to catch.

In a possible first-round playoff matchup, the Chicago Blackhawks look to pad their lead for the fourth seed Sunday at United Center, while visiting Vancouver Canucks tries to tie them and move closer to first place in the Northwest Division.

GAME: Vancouver Canucks (40-25-3-6) at Chicago Blackhawks (40-22-5-6)
DATE/TIME: Sunday, March 29 - 7:00 PM EST
LINE: 120, -140 TOTAL: 5.5
Bet on NHL games at BETONLINE.COM

Oddsmakers currently have the Blackhawks listed as 140-moneyline favorites versus the Canucks, while the game's total is sitting at 5.5.

The Canucks defeated Colorado 4-1 on Friday, making sure not to take the conference-worst Avalanche lightly following Thursday's disappointing 4-2 loss in St. Louis.

The Canucks scored three times in the third period on Friday, as -180 favorites. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin, Pavol Demitra, and Alexander Edler scored in that win.

Vancouver defeated Chicago 7-3 at GM Place on Feb. 7 after losing by two goals in each of the first two meetings. Chicago has not won a season series over the Canucks since 2001-02.

On Feb. 21, Chicago (40-22-11) had an eight-point lead over the Canucks (40-25-9) for fourth in the West. The Blackhawks, though, went 3-7-3 in their next 13 as Vancouver pulled ahead of them last week.

Chicago has won three in a row - all at home - following a season-high five-game losing streak to reclaim fourth, but the Canucks are just two points back.

Brent Seabrook scored the overtime winner to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 victory over the Devils on Friday, as -130 favorites. The five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (5.5).

Kris Versteeg and Martin Havlat potted the other goals in that win.
Bet on NHL games at BETONLINE.COM

Current streak:
Chicago has won 3 straight games.

Team records:
Vancouver: 40-25-9
Chicago: 40-22-11

Vancouver most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 5-5
Before playing San Jose are 6-4
After playing Colorado are 6-4
After a win are 6-4

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Sunday are 3-6-1
Before playing Edmonton are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Vancouver's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Vancouver's last 9 games
Vancouver is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Chicago
Vancouver is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Chicago's last 15 games
Chicago is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Vancouver
Chicago is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games when playing Vancouver
Bet on NHL games at BETONLINE.COM