A couple of teams currently on losing streaks, the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center in a Western Conference tilt. The opening face-off is at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet Pacific.
Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
With a -185 moneyline, Chicago heads into the contest as the noticeable favorite. The line for Vancouver sits at +160, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Chicago is 30-44 straight up (SU) and has lost 19.1 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 74 regular season matches, 37 have gone under the total, while 33 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 17-20 SU at home this year.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.1 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.0 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 games at home. The team has had to kill penalties for just 7.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .929 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Corey Crawford (16 wins, 12 losses, and two OT losses) has been the top goalkeeper for Chicago this season. If head coach Joel Quenneville chooses to rest him, however, Chicago could go with Anton Forsberg (10-22-22 record, .905 save percentage, 3.08 goals against average).
The Hawks will continue to look for offensive production via Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Kane (70 points) is up to 25 goals and 45 assists and has recorded two or more points in 19 different games this year. Toews has 20 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 34 games.
On the other side of the rink, Vancouver is 25-48 straight up (SU) and has lost 16.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 41 of its games have gone over the total, while 32 have gone under and none have pushed. The Canucks are 13-24 SU as a road team this season.
The Canucks have converted on 21.8 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 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, 3.8 per game over their last five outings total, and 4.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (2.80 goals against average and .909 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 26.2 saves per game and owns an 18-36-7 record.
Brock Boeser (29 goals, 26 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Chicago is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Vancouver is 0-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
The Blackhawks have averaged the league’s third-most shots on goal (34.4) while the Canucks have attempted just the 29th-most (34.4).
Chicago has allowed 3.1 goals per game this year, but is giving up 5.3 goals per contest over its four-game losing skid.
Five of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-5 in those games.
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