Chicago Blackhawks vs. Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, Preview, and Odds

Chicago Blackhawks are eighth in the Central Division (8-20-4, 20 points) and are coming off a 5-2 home win on Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Carolina Hurricanes are leading the Metropolitan Division with 22-6-5, 50 points and they are on an eight-game winning streak. This will be the second and final regular season game they play against each other this season.

Chicago Blackhawks have scored 75 goals this season, which is last in the NHL. They have been less than average on the power play and have an 8.8 shooting percentage. Petr Mrazek is the starting goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks and is expected to be in goal for this game. He has a record of 2-8-1 with an .874 save percentage and 4.23 goals allowed per game so far. Carolina Hurricanes have a 25th-ranked defense.

Carolina Hurricanes have scored 106 goals this season, but they have four players on injured reserve. They have been below league average at the goal, scoring on 21 of their 117 power play attempts. Pyotr Kochetkov is 10-1-4 as their starting goaltender this year, with 1.94 goals allowed per game and a .928 save percentage.

Four Carolina Hurricanes prospects will play for the United States, Finland and Germany at World Junior Championship in Halifax.

Chicago Blackhawks are 28th in the NHL with a 71% penalty kill percentage this season. Carolina is 12th with an 80.2%. The Hurricanes are 6-1 in their previous seven home games against the Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes are playing each other. Chicago is scoring 3.5 goals in their previous two games, while Carolina is averaging 4.4 goals per game in the last five games. The over has hit in eight of the past 11 games against one another.

Justin has been involved with sports since high school. He has written sports editorials for both hard copy newspapers and online sites. Justin has joined StatSalt's team. He is a great sports writer and has a deep passion for breaking down the games and also being on them.