A couple of the least-penalized teams in the league, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center in an East-versus-West showdown. The opening face-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, and fans at home can watch the game live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
With a moneyline of -125, Chicago enters the contest as the favorite. The line for Carolina sits at +105, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 over, +100 under).
Chicago is 29-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 67 games this season, 29 have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 16-17 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 14th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.6 percent of all penalties.
The Blackhawks, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five matchups at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 5.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
With a .929 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Corey Crawford (16-12-2) has been the primary option in goal for Chicago this season. If the Hawks, however, choose to rest him, head coach Joel Quenneville could turn to Anton Forsberg (9-20-20 record, .906 save percentage, 3.02 goals against average).
Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz will both be offensive focal points for the Blackhawks. Kane (63 points) has put up 24 goals and 39 assists and has recorded multiple points 17 times this year. Schmaltz has 20 goals and 25 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 28 games.
Over on the other bench, Carolina is 29-38 straight up (SU) and has lost 13.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 67 regular season outings, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Hurricanes are 13-20 SU as the road team this season.
The Hurricanes have converted on 18.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.0 percent of all penalties.
Carolina’s skaters have been called for penalties only 2.8 times per game in total this season, 2.4 per game over their past five games total, and 2.6 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Ward (24.8 saves per game) has been the main choice in goal for Carolina. Ward has 19 wins, 17 losses, and four OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .907 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Hurricanes, the offense will run through Teuvo Teravainen (19 goals, 33 assists) and Sebastian Aho (23 goals, 28 assists).
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Hurricanes, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Seven of Carolina’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-5 in those games.
The Hurricanes are 16-22 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 23-31 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
Carolina (3-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has participated in only a couple of shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
Chicago skaters have averaged 9.0 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 8.5 giveaways per game (ranked 12th in the league).
Carolina skaters have averaged 7.0 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 9.9 giveaways per game (ranked 18th overall).
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