Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 12/17/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vancouver Canucks vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Canucks (-200) Blackhawks (+160)

The Vancouver Canucks (20-9-1) are hitting the road to United Center on Sunday where they will go up against the Chicago Blackhawks (9-19-1). The moneyline on this contest has the Canucks at -200 while the Blackhawks open at +160. The total is 7.

The Vancouver Canucks were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-0 win over the Panthers their last time out. Vancouver compiled 6 mins in the box for this contest. They also had 3 power play tries and notched 1 goal. The Canucks had a good offensive outing in the win. In the game, they earned a goal on 4 out of the 18 shots they tried.

Vancouver Canucks opponents have amassed 94 power play opportunities (15th in pro hockey) and have come away with 22 goals in those attempts. The Canucks have seen 902 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .918. Vancouver has taken 836 shots and has a shooting percentage of 13.8%. When at even strength, the Canucks have allowed the opponent to score 52 goals while getting 87 of their own. Vancouver comes into the game with 105 power play opportunities and they have tallied 28 goals out of those attempts, earning them a rate of 26.67%. For the current campaign, they have scored 41 points and their points percentage is sitting at .683. Pertaining to their goal scoring prowess, the Vancouver Canucks have accounted for 115 goals (1st in hockey) for the season and have allowed 74.

The player in the crease for this game is Thatcher Demko. Opponents have tallied 523 goals versus Demko in his NHL career and his goals against rate is 2.83. Demko has been in goal for 190 games over the course of his NHL career. He has a save percentage of .912 for his 11,093 mins between the pipes. He has amassed a mark of 96-74-15 and he started in 184 games. For his professional hockey career, Demko has tallied 104 quality starts and his quality starts percentage sits at .565. Demko has seen 5,923 shots against him and has amassed 5,400 total saves.

Their last time out, Chicago went up against the Kraken in a matchup where the Blackhawks ended up taking the loss by a final of 7-1. They had 1 opportunity on the power play in this one but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Blackhawks scored 1 goal out of the 22 shots on goal they were seeking.

This season, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 67 goals, 19 points, and a points percentage of .328. They have permitted 104 goals to be scored by way of 82 goals at even strength and 22 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blackhawks have accumulated 58 goals at even strength and 9 goals (30th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have earned 91 opportunities on the power play and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 9.89%. Chicago has taken 789 shots (29th in professional hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 8.49%, while allowing their opponents 945 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 75.82% on their opponents 91 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 89.0%.

Across the ice you will find Petr Mrazek between the pipes. Mrazek is the owner of a career record of 157-133-34 and has been in goal for 352 games. Mrazek's quality start percentage is 51.2% and he has 165 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. He has accrued 8,885 saves out of the 9,792 shots attempted against him, which gives him a percentage of .907. His opposition is averaging 2.77 goals per game and he has conceded 907 goals overall. He has been a starter 322 games and has accumulated 19,624 mins.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Chicago (+160)

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