A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the league, the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center for a Western Conference matchup. This one will get underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 28 and it can be seen live on Sportsnet ONE.
Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Netting 2.3 units for moneyline bettors, Chicago is 6-5 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (33-49). Through 11 regular season matches, six of the team’s games have gone over the total, while four have gone under and none have pushed. The team’s 3-3 SU at home this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 11.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 30th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 22nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 73.5 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Blackhawks have been penalized just 3.6 times per game this season. Last year, they posted the fifth-lowest figure in the league with 3.3 penalties per game. After serving an average of 7.5 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has been forced to kill penalties for 7.8 minutes per matchup this season.
Averaging 33.5 saves per game with a .885 save percentage, Cam Ward (3-3-2) has been the most dependable option in goal for Chicago this year. If the Hawks, however, choose to give him the night off, head coach Joel Quenneville might turn to Corey Crawford (3-2-2 record, .919 save percentage, 2.44 goals against average).
The Hawks will continue to look for offensive production out of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Kane (17 points) has produced 11 goals and six assists and has recorded two or more points four times this year. DeBrincat has eight goals and six assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in nine contests.
Edmonton is 5-4 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. A total of five of its matches have gone under the total, while three have gone over and none have pushed. The Oilers are 3-2 SU as the away team this season.
The Oilers have scored on 26.5 percent of their power play chances this year after successfully converting on 14.8 percent of their extra-man opportunities in 2017-18 (a mark that was ranked just 31st in the NHL). The team’s gone from successfully defending 76.7 percent of opponents’ power plays (ranked 25th overall last season) to 75.0 percent in 2018-19.
Edmonton’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, a number that is fairly close to the 3.6 penalties per game given up last year. After serving an average of 9.2 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to kill penalties for 8.0 minutes per matchup this year.
Cam Talbot (26.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Edmonton. Talbot owns a 4-4-1 record, and has registered a .901 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average this year.
Connor McDavid (seven goals, nine assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
