Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Prediction, Preview, and Odds

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A pair of Central Division teams take the ice in search of two points in the standings as they take the ice in the Music City. The Chicago Blackhawks are on the road as they make the trip to face the Nashville Predators Saturday afternoon. Chicago comes in off a 4-2 loss at home to Tampa Bay Thursday night in their previous contest. Nashville was beaten 3-2 at home by Anaheim in their previous contest Tuesday night. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Predators own a 7-1-2 advantage though it was the Blackhawks picking up a 2-1 victory on the road in the most recent matchup on March 16, 2023.

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Chicago Blackhawks Look to Get Back in Win Column

Chicago suffered a second straight loss as they were doubled up on home ice by Tampa Bay in their previous contest Thursday night. The Blackhawks entered Friday tied for seventh in the Central Division with a 5-9-0 record and stand 13 points behind the Stars for the top spot. Chicago is 28 on the season when it comes to scoring production as they average 2.57 goals per game. The Blackhawks are tied for 24 in the league in goals against as they allow an average of 3.50 goals per contest. Chicago is 27 in power play success as they convert 12.5% of their chances with the man advantage this season. The Blackhawks are 16 in the league in penalty killing as they successfully kill off 78.7% of their shorthanded situations this season.

Against Tampa Bay, Chicago led early and was even midway through the third period before ending up on the wrong end of the scoreboard. The Blackhawks were outshot 12-6 in the opening period of play but skated off with a 1-0 advantage on the scoreboard after 20 minutes of action. Lukas Reichel opened the scoring with his first goal of the season, on the power play, at 12:59 off assists from Phillipp Kurashev and Kevin Korchinski. The second period saw the Blackhawks outshot 9-7 and outscored 2-0 to trail 2-1 at the second intermission. In the third period, Chicago was outshot 9-2 and outscored 2-1 to take the loss. Corey Perry tied the game with his fourth goal of the year at 2:09 off assists from Jason Dickinson and Boris Katchouk. They gave up the go-ahead goal with 8:07 remaining in regulation and an empty-net goal in the final minute to seal their fate. Petr Mrazek made 26 saves for Chicago, who were outshot 30-15, in the loss. The Blackhawks have yet to name a starter between the pipes for this contest.

Nashville Predators Hoping to Turn Things Around

Nashville had three days to regroup and recover after suffering their fourth straight loss and their sixth in the last seven games as they were beaten at home by Anaheim Tuesday night. The Predators entered Friday 5-10-0 on the season and stood tied for seventh in the Central Division, 13 points behind the Stars for the top spot. Nashville is 21 in the league in goals per game as they put up an average of 2.93 goals per contest this season. The Predators are tied for 22 in goals against by allowing an average of 3.47 goals per game on the year. Nashville is tied for 15 in the league in power play success as they cash in on 20.6% of their chances with the man advantage. The Predators are 30 in penalty killing as they successfully navigate through 70% of their shorthanded situations this season.

Against Anaheim, Nashville built a lead in the second period but was unable to maintain it as they wound up taking the loss. The Predators held an 11-5 advantage in shots in the opening period but skated off to the dressing room with the game scoreless at the first intermission. In the second period, Nashville held a 10-8 shot edge and outscored the Ducks 2-1 to lead by that margin after 40 minutes of play. Filip Forsberg opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season at 1:03 off assists from Alexandre Carrier and Ryan O’Reilly. Roman Josi made it a 2-0 game with his third goal of the season, on the power play, at 14:28 with assists going to Gustav Nyquist and O’Reilly. The Predators gave up a goal three minutes later to halve their lead. In the third period, Nashville was outshot 9-7 and outscored 2-0 to wind up with the loss. Juuse Saros made 17 saves for the Predators, who held a 30-20 advantage in shots on goal, in the loss. The Predators have not named a starter in net here though Saros is the likely option.

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Best Bets for this Game

Full-Game Side Bet

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Both teams have had struggles, which is why you see them tied for the cellar in the Central Division. Chicago has dropped two straight while Nashville has lost four in a row and six of their last seven games. The Predators are struggling to keep the puck out of their own net and their penalty killing has been awful this season. That’s not really what you expected from a veteran Predators team that added guys like O’Reilly in the offseason. Chicago’s youth movement continues, led by Connor Bedard. We’ve seen the Blackhawks play some decent hockey at times this season. With both teams scuffling, the Blackhawks are the team with little pressure while Nashville is a team that is expected to be a playoff team. Look for Chicago to play loose and find a way to steal a win on the road here as the Predators continue to slump.

Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks +160

Full-Game Total Pick

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Chicago has seen the under post an 8-6 mark in their 14 games on the season. The Blackhawks have seen an average total of 6.07 goals per game this season and that number climbs slightly to 6.11 goals per game on home ice. They have stayed under the total in five of their nine games on the road this year in relation to the total. Nashville comes into this game having seen the under post a 6-5-4 mark in their 15 games this season. The Predators have seen an average total of 6.40 goals per game this season though that number falls to an average of 6.14 goals per game at home. On home ice this season, the under is 4-2-1 in Nashville’s seven home ice tilts. Both teams are weak defensively but they also have issues offensively. Lean toward the under in this contest.

Prediction: Under 6.5

Chris King has been immersed in the world of professional and collegiate sports for more than three decades. Whether it's playing pickup games or being involved in organized sports to being a fan, he's checked all the boxes. From the NFL to arena football, the NHL to the KHL, the NBA to the WNBA to college hoops, and even MLB to the KBO.  If it's out there, he's covered it and bet on it as well, as Chris has been an expert bettor in his career.  Before joining Winners and Whiners back in 2015, his work appeared around the internet and in print. He's written books for Ruckus Books about college basketball, the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, golf, and the World Cup. If you're looking for the inside track on hitting a winner, do yourself a favor and read what Chris has to say.