The Carolina Hurricanes arrive in Chicago to take on the Blackhawks, having won two of their last five games. Significant injuries continue to hurt the Hurricanes’ ability to show their true potential as a pre-season favorite for post-season success. Check the Hurricanes vs Blackhawks Game prediction.
As for the rebuilding Blackhawks, they moved major pieces from their roster this past offseason, with more likely to come, yet the Blackhawks aren’t as bad as many expected before the season began.
We’ll review the stats, odds, and trends to make our Hurricanes vs Blackhawks game prediction.
You can catch this challenging matchup from the Chicago Blackhawks schedule on NHLPP or ESPN+, with puck drop set for 8:30 P.M. ET from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds Breakdown
Before we jump into the stats, recent form, and our Hurricanes vs Blackhawks game prediction, we need to review the odds and both teams betting records.
Moneyline
The Carolina Hurricanes enter the NHL schedule today as the moneyline betting favorites, ranging from -225 and -240 odds.
The Blackhawks are the moneyline underdog, ranging from +180 and +195 odds.
The Hurricanes odds have them as the heavy favorite, with Carolina having a 9-6 record on the moneyline, while the Blackhawks are 6-8 on the moneyline.
Total
The total goals line is slightly lower than anticipated for our Hurricanes vs Blackhawks game prediction.
NHL odds have the total goals set at 6, although you can find the game listed with alternative total goals lines.
Over
The over is listed with odds ranging from -110 to -115, while the under is listed between -105 and -110. The Hurricanes have a 6-8 over/under record, while the Blackhawks have a 7-7 over/under record.
The puck line spread is always a primary focus of our NHL picks. The Blackhawks are listed at +1.5, with odds ranging from -136 to -145, while the Hurricanes are listed at -1.5, with odds from +110 to +120.
The Blackhawks have an 11-3 record against the spread, while the Hurricanes are 6-9 against the spread.
Matchup Information
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are among the contenders to emerge from the Eastern Conference in the Spring. However, one look at the NHL injury report explains the Hurricanes’ recent performances, winning two of their last five games.
Hurricanes Injury List
According to recent reports, the Carolina Hurricanes have Ondrej Kase, Max Pacioretty, and starting goalie Frederik Andersen all listed on the injured reserve list.
In their last game, the Carolina Hurricanes lost to the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on November 12, one game removed from defeating the Edmonton Oilers 7-2.
Jordan Staal scored the Hurricanes’ only goal, while Antti Raanta made twenty-four saves in the loss. With that loss, the Hurricanes enter Monday night’s game with a 9-5-1 record.
Raanta as the Starting Goalie
The Hurricanes won’t play again until Thursday in a rematch with the Avalanche, so we expect Raanta to get the start again over backup Pyotr Kochetkov.
Raanta has a 3-2-1 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.
Hurricanes Stats
NHL stats, and in particular, team stats, are a valuable tool for assessing any team’s performance beyond the daily grind and the ups and downs of wins and losses.
The Carolina Hurricanes are averaging 3.00 goals per game and 2.87 goals against per game. Martin Necas sits atop the Hurricanes NHL player stats leaders, with nineteen points (seven goals, twelve assists).
Special teams are critical in the NHL, and considering the Hurricanes’ talent, they should be better on the powerplay.
Hurricanes’ Powerplay
The Hurricanes are converting on 16.9% of their powerplay opportunities, scoring ten goals this season.
The penalty killers only gave up one powerplay goal to the Avs’ league-best powerplay moving their total powerplay goals against to thirteen.
The Hurricanes went 1/4 against the Avs, which is almost exactly their season penalty-killing average of 76.4%.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks entered the 2022-23 season expecting to finish near the bottom of the NHL standings. However, the Chicago Blackhawks enter Monday night with an unexpected 6-5-3 record.
The Blackhawks have on two of their last five NHL matchups. In their last game, the Blackhawks defeated the Anaheim Ducks 3-2 on November 12.
The Blackhawks came back from a 2-0 deficit, with Jarred Tinordi scoring two goals and Filip Roos adding his first of the season to help the Blackhawks get the win. Arvid Soderblom made 39 saves for the win.
Blackhawks’ Injury Report
With Alex Stalock getting the bulk of the starts before being placed on the NHL injury report, the Blackhawks have relied on Soderblom for much of the work in net, while Petr Mrazek has won played in one of the Blackhawks’ last five games.
We expect Soderblom to get the start for the Blackhawks. If Soderblom starts, he has a 2-2-1 record, with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
If Mrazek starts, he has a 1-1-1 record, with a 3.21 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.
NHL Player Stats Leaders
You’ll have to scroll farther down the NHL player stats leaders than expected before finding Patrick Kane. Kane is a prime candidate to be traded out of Chicago this season and leads the team with twelve points (two goals, ten assists).
Blackhawks’ Poweplay
The Blackhawks are averaging 2.71 goals per game and 3.00 goals against per game.
The Blackhawks’ powerplay has scored ten goals and is converting on 16.9% of their powerplay opportunities, while the penalty killers have given up thirteen goals, operating at 76.4%.
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick and Prediction
If you make your betting picks or Hurricanes vs Blackhawks game predictions solely on NHL stats, then you are taking the Hurricanes to win on the moneyline, despite the heavy favorite odds.
In all honesty, the Hurricanes are the better team and should win this game outright.
Who to Bet On?
But we’re going to look toward the puck line spread and total goals lines for our Hurricanes vs Blackhawks game prediction.
All five of the Hurricanes’ most recent games have ended in at least a two-goal spread against tough competition, while the Blackhawks have played in one-goal games in three of their last five matchups.
We expect the injury-laden Carolina Hurricanes to win the game on the moneyline, but we’ll take the Blackhawks to cover the spread and for this game to hit the under.
Final Score Prediction: Hurricanes 3 – Blackhawks 2
Pick: Blackhawks +1.5 (-135)
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