Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Anaheim Ducks face the Chicago Blackhawks with both teams looking to improve on rough seasons. The Ducks have a 10-15-1 record and with only one win in their last 10 games, they have the third-worst record in the Pacific Division. The Blackhawks have a 7-16-1 record and with only two wins in their last 10 games, they have the worst record in the Central Division. Both teams look to improve in the Western Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
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Ducks have unraveled on both ends of the ice
The Ducks are having a rough season with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.72 with only 22 goals in their last 10 games. Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, and Mason McTavish have scored 27 goals and 34 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only three skaters have six goals or more and opposing defenses can limit the offense with ease.
The offense has struggled but the defense has also fallen apart, allowing 3.48 goals per game including 44 goals in the last 10 games. Radko Gudas and Urho Vaakanainen have combined for 2.5 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. The one bright spot has been the play of goaltender John Gibson who has a .906 save percentage and a 2.82 goals-against average on 501 shots with 1.5 goals saved above average.
Blackhawks have struggled on both ends of the ice this season
The Blackhawks are having a season to forget with their offense struggling and scoring only 2.46 goals per game with only six goals in the last four games. Connor Bedard, Philipp Kurashev, and Jason Dickinson have scored 23 goals and 23 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only three skaters have scored five goals or more and opponents can eliminate the hapless offense as a result.
The offense has struggled but the defense has also been a disappointment, allowing 3.67 goals per game including 16 goals in the last four games. Alex Vlasic and Seth Jones have combined for 1.6 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Petr Mrazek has struggled with a .899 save percentage and a 3.42 goals-against average on 434 shots with -2.0 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
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The Blackhawks look to pull off the upset on their home ice but I like the Ducks to step up and take over this game. The Ducks should create plenty of scoring chances against the Blackhawks, who allow 3.67 goals per game, with Mason McTavish, Frank Vatrano, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Ducks should limit the Blackhawks, who average only 2.46 goals per game, with Radko Gudas and Urho Vaakanainen stepping up at the blue line and cutting off angles to the net on the rush while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender John Gibson to make plenty of big saves. The Ducks should win the game with a strong performance on their home ice.
Take the Ducks money line as road Favorites.
Prediction: Ducks (+124)
Full-Game Total Pick
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Both offenses have been awful and I see this game being a low-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blackhawks should limit the Ducks offense, which averages only 2.72 goals per game, with Seth Vlasic, Seth Jones, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Petr Mrazek to make plenty of big saves. The Ducks should eliminate and potentially shut out the Blackhawks, who have scored only six goals in their last four games, with Radko Gudas, Urho Vaakanainen, and the rest of the defensive unit forcing turnovers in the neutral zone and defensive zone while goaltender John Gibson blanks the shots on the net. The Under should cover in a low-scoring game with both defenses stepping up.
Take the Under on 6.5 goals.
Prediction: Under 6.5
Mike Fink is a sports writer and a passionate football fan. After graduating from college, Fink picked up the passion he had since being a young child in following and covering all things sports and we are very excited to have him as a part of the StatSalt team. In recent weeks, Mike started a podcast which you can find on Spotify, called "The Mike and Grover Show" and it discusses all things football. He covers all forms of sports betting and also bets on all of the plays he gives out. Mike would advise hockey betting since the odds give you great payouts "Hockey is built to bet the Money Line Underdogs. Be sure and follow him on a daily basis.
