Two of the least-penalized teams in the National Hockey League, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers face off at Rogers Place for a Western Conference showdown. The match gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1, and it’s being televised live on NBC Sports Chicago.
Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers Odds
The Oilers are 6-5 straight up (SU) and have netted 2.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, the second-best in the Pacific Division so far in the early season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (36-46). Six of its 11 matches have gone under the total, while five have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 2-3 SU at home thus far.
Edmonton’s converted on 22.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 69.4 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.7 times per game this season, a number that’s pretty close to the 3.6 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for 8.0 minutes per matchup this year.
Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .904 save percentage, Cam Talbot (five wins, five losses, and one OT loss) has been the primary option in goal for the Oilers this season. If they choose to give him the night off, however, head coach Todd Mclellan might turn to Mikko Koskinen (1-0 record, .889 save percentage, 3.05 goals against average).
Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will each lead the way for the Oilers. McDavid (18 points) has tallied nine goals and nine assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Nugent-Hopkins has three goals and 10 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in six games.
Chicago is 6-7 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.2 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 13 regular season outings, seven of its games have gone over the total, while five have gone under the total and none have pushed. Chicago’s 3-3 SU as a road team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 14.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 26th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 76.9 percent of all penalties.
Chicago’s players have been called for penalties only 3.5 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.3, which was the fifth-lowest mark in the league. After serving an average of 7.5 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 7.4 minutes per matchup this season.
Cam Ward (3.91 goals against average and .889 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Chicago. Ward is averaging 32.1 saves per game and has three wins, four losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Blackhawks will be Patrick Kane, who has 11 goals and seven assists this season.
Chicago Blackhawks at Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
Chicago has managed 27.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Edmonton is averaging 33.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
The Blackhawks are 1-5 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 4-6 when they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total.
Chicago has scored 3.3 goals per game as a team this season, but has been averaging 2.0 goals per contest over its last three games (0-3 SU over that span).
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