In their second head-to-head matchup of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the expansion franchise Vegas Golden Knights clash at the United Center in a Western Conference matchup. Sportsnet ONE will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5.
Vegas Golden Knights at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Vegas (+105) is currently the underdog to Chicago (-125) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under).
Vegas is 27-12 straight up (SU) and has earned 20.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 22 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just two have pushed. The Knights are 10-9 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Vegas has converted on 19.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 81.5 percent of all penalties.
Vegas, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over its past five games. The team’s had to kill penalties just 5.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 25.5 saves per game with a .922 save percentage, Malcolm Subban (11-2) has been the primary option in goal for Vegas this year. If it decides to rest him, however, head coach Gerard Gallant may go with Marc-Andre Fleury (8-3-1 record, .944 save percentage, 1.80 goals against average).
The visiting Golden Knights have relied on Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson this year. Marchessault (37 points) is up to 15 goals and 22 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Karlsson has 20 goals and 13 assists to his credit (and has registered a point in 22 games).
On the other side of the ice, Chicago is 19-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 39 regular season contests, 20 of its games have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 10-7 SU as the home team.
Chicago has converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary netminder in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit and has recorded a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this season.
The Hawks will be led on offense by Patrick Kane (17 goals, 23 assists).
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of Chicago’s last five outings.
Penalties and power plays could prove to be key in the outcome of this game. The Golden Knights are 11-4 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 19-9 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Blackhawks are 14-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 13-11 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
Chicago has forced 8.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.7 takeaways per game (ranked 13th in the NHL).
Vegas has averaged 5.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 11.9 takeaways per game (ranked second).
Vegas may hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s an impressive 12-5 in one-goal games, while Chicago is 6-8 in such games.
