In their third and final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center for a Western Conference matchup. The match gets underway at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 7 and it can be seen live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
The Blackhawks are 19-21 straight up (SU) and have lost 4.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team managed during last years regular season campaign. Of its 40 regular season contests, 20 have gone under the total, while 18 have gone over and just two have pushed. The teams 10-8 SU at home this year.
Chicago’s converted on just 14.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
Chicago, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five home outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.7 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Sporting a .929 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Corey Crawford (16-12-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Blackhawks this year. If they decide to give him a breather, however, head coach Joel Quenneville might turn to Anton Forsberg (2-10-10 record, .902 save percentage, 3.33 goals against average).
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews will each lead the charge for the Blackhawks. Kane (40 points) has tallied 17 goals and 23 assists and has recorded multiple points on 11 separate occasions this year. Toews has 12 goals and 16 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 19 contests.
On the other bench, Edmonton is 18-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 42 regular season matches, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. As an away team so far, Edmonton is 9-11 SU.
Edmonton has converted on just 16.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 70.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five outings. The teams had to kill penalties just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (26.7 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Edmonton. Talbot has 15 wins, 17 losses, and two OT losses to his credit, while registering a .903 save percentage and 3.09 goals against average this year.
Connor McDavid (14 goals, 33 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
,Predictions: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in each of Chicago’s last five outings.
- This game features two clubs that put the puck on goal a lot. Edmonton has registered the leagues second-most shots on goal (34.6) while Chicago has attempted the second-most (34.7).
- Edmonton skaters have accounted for the second-most hits in the league (26.9 per game), but the teams recorded just 18.8 hits over their last five away games.
