A couple of the least-penalized teams in the league, the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks meet at the United Center for a Western Conference tilt. This one gets started at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 28 and it will be broadcasted live on Sportsnet ONE.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Earning moneyline bettors 2.3 units, Chicago is 6-5 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (33-49). Of its 11 games this season, six have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 3-3 SU at home.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 11.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 73.5 percent of all penalties.
The Blackhawks, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.6 times per game this season. Last year, they posted the fifth-lowest mark in the league with 3.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.5 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 7.8 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 33.5 saves per game with a .885 save percentage, Cam Ward (3-3-2) has been the best goalkeeper for Chicago this year. If head coach Joel Quenneville decides to rest him, however, the team might turn to Corey Crawford (3-2-2 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
The Hawks will continue to rely on leadership out of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Kane (17 points) has put up 11 goals and six assists and has recorded multiple points four times this year. DeBrincat has eight goals and six assists to his name and has recorded a point in nine contests.
Over on the visiting bench, Edmonton is 5-4 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of five of its outings have gone under the total, while three have gone over and none have pushed. The Oilers are 3-2 SU as the away team this season.
The Oilers have scored on 26.5 percent of their power play chances this year after converting on 14.8 percent of their extra-man opportunities last season (a percentage that was ranked just 31st in league-wide). The team’s gone from killing off 76.7 percent of opponent power plays (ranked 25th overall last season) to 75.0 percent in 2018-19.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, a number that is 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 year ago, the team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 8.0 minutes per matchup this season.
Cam Talbot (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Edmonton. Talbot owns a 4-4-1 record, and has registered a .901 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this year.
Connor McDavid (seven goals, nine assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes
The Oilers are 2-1 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blackhawks are 3-1 SU in games where they serve more minutes than the opposition.
The total has gone under in four of Chicago’s last five games.
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