Reeling Blackhawks Await Predators
Coming off a much-needed win, the Nashville Predators are now in a solid position to win consecutive games. They visit the free-falling Chicago Blackhawks as wide favorites per the NHL odds. The Predators have won three straight against Chicago and eight of their last 10 meetings. However, two of Chicago’s victories came at the United Center.
Let’s check the latest NHL odds, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines for Predators vs Blackhawks. We’ve plenty of NHL betting odds for you to consider.
Predators: Unspecial Teams
Their win over Edmonton snapped a six-game losing skid that dropped the Nashville Predators well out of the playoff race. Nashville did it by scoring more than three goals for the first time since a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders. But since facing Tampa Bay, the Predators have been exposed as one of the NHL’s most tepid offenses.
Nashville averages the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.47) in the NHL and it’s mainly thanks to poor special teams. The Predators’ 15.1 percent power play (PP) is the second-worst. And to exacerbate it, their 76 percent penalty kill (PK) is only 22nd. During their six-game skid, Nashville got outscored 6-0 on special teams despite having equal PP and PK time.
It’s not a coincidence then that in 11 of their 13 wins, the Predators did not give up more goals on special teams. Nashville needs to get it going because its 5-on-5 play is average at best. Thankfully, the Predators remain stalwart in goal with either Juuse Saros or Kevin Lankinen. The pair give the Preds’ some value on the online gambling lines.
juuse saros didn’t allow a goal from McDavid or Draisaitl so the predators built a statue of him pic.twitter.com/EZlp5lBXvR
— Liam McHugh (@liam_mchugh) December 20, 2022
Blackhawks Not Even Trying
Just when you think Chicago can’t get any worse, it gets blown out 7-1 on its own ice. Heck, in this seven-game skid, the Blackhawks have lost by three or more goals six times. Chicago is also 13-17 on the puck line, all at the +1½ line. Any bettor reckless enough to back this team would be deep in a hole.
Chicago is terrible on both ends of the ice. There is little saving grace to this team. But we’re singling out the offense because the Blackhawks used to have a bit of an attack. But during its skid, Chicago has scored more than one goal just once.
Patrick Kane has four total goals and he has lit the lamp just twice since Oct. 29. Chicago has gone 3-16-4 in this span. The former Hart Trophy winner shot down trade talks in the preseason. But given where Chicago is now, no one will be surprised if he changed his tune.
Predators vs Blackhawks Game Injuries
Predators vs Blackhawks Head-to-Head
When Nashville and Chicago meet, goals tend to be rare. Nine of their last 13 games have gone under the total and six of their last seven when playing in Chicago.
- Game: Predators (13-13-4) vs Blackhawks (7-19-4)
- Day/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 21, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
- Predators vs Blackhawks Live stream: NHL.TV
Predators vs Blackhawks Betting Lines
Predators vs Blackhawks Picks & Prediction
In spite of how bad Chicago is, we can’t stomach having to lay that number on Nashville to win. This is still a shaky team whose offense could be just as bad as Chicago’s. In fact, as laughable as it sounds, there is more value in Chicago as an underdog. But we won’t bet online on either. Instead, take the under here as these teams have difficulties scoring.
Chicago is listed at +155 in our NHL lines. This means that if you wager $100 on the Blackhawks, you have a chance to win $155. Nashville is -175, offering a chance to win $57 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Chicago a 39.22% chance to win, with the Predators at 63.64%.
Predators vs Blackhawks Trends
Predators vs Blackhawks Edge
Predators vs Blackhawks Results
Predators vs Blackhawks Game Summary
