Two teams meeting for the second time this season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers clash at Rogers Place in a Western Conference showdown. The match will get going at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, December 29, and you can view it live on Sportsnet ONE.
Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers Odds
The Oilers are 17-20 straight up (SU) and have recorded -6.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 47-35 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 37 regular season contests, 18 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while another 18 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 8-10 SU at home this season.
Edmonton’s converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.7 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 3.0 per game over its last five games at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.5 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 26.4 saves per game with a .907 save percentage, Cam Talbot (14-13-1) has been the top option in goal for the Oilers this season. If head coach Todd Mclellan decides to give him a breather, however, the team might roll with Laurent Brossoit (3-10-10 record, .886 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue looking for offensive production via Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (45 points) has tallied 14 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points 11 times this year. Draisaitl has nine goals and 22 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 19 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 17-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 4.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 20 of its matches have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the away team so far, Chicago is 7-12 SU.
Chicago has converted on just 14.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully defended 82.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their last ten contests. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (.929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago. Crawford is averaging 27.9 saves per game and has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
Patrick Kane (15 goals, 21 assists) will lead the attack for the visiting Blackhawks.
Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
The total has gone under in three of Edmonton’s last five games.
Two clubs that put the puck on net a lot, Chicago has registered the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.6) while Edmonton has attempted the sixth-most (34.4).
The Blackhawks are 13-10 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-10 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Edmonton is ranked 11th in the league this season with 8.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has created 7.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.6 takeaways over its last five.
Chicago has scored 2.9 goals per game this season, but is averaging 1.0 goal per match up over its three-game losing streak.
Chicago has created 6.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.6 takeaways per game (ranked 15th in the NHL).
