Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Prediction

Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen, and the Carolina Hurricanes will do battle against Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in an East-West showdown. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the game, which gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 8.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds

With a moneyline of -115, Chicago comes into the contest as the slight favorite. The line for Carolina sits at -105, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 money on the under, +105 on the over).

Chicago is 6-9 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team posted during last year’s regular season (33-49). Through 15 regular season outings, nine of the team’s games have gone over the total, while six have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 3-4 SU at home this season.

The Blackhawks have converted on just 14.0 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.1 percent of all penalties.

Averaging 31.3 saves per game with a .887 save percentage, Cam Ward (3-5-3) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Hawks this season. If Chicago chooses to rest him, however, head coach Jeremy Colliton may turn to Corey Crawford (3-4-4 record, .907 save percentage, 2.92 goals against average).

Carolina has lost 5.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 6-9 straight up (SU). A total of 10 of its outings have gone under the total, while five have gone over and none have pushed. The Hurricanes are 3-5 SU as the road team this season.

The Hurricanes have converted on just 12.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 69.8 percent of all opponent power plays.

Petr Mrazek (20.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Carolina. Mrazek owns a 3-5-2 record, while registering a .880 save percentage and 2.75 goals against average this year.

Carolina Hurricanes at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Picks

Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

After registering a 3-3 record in games decided by a shootout last season, the Hurricanes are off to a 1-0 start in shootouts this year. The Blackhawks went 1-2 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.

For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matches.

Two offenses that put the puck on net a lot, Carolina has attempted the league’s second-most shots on goal (41.5) and Chicago has attempted the ninth-most (32.8).

Over Carolina’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-5 in those games).

Carolina skaters have accounted for the seventh-most hits in the league (24.6 per game), but the team’s averaged just 19.8 hits over their last five away games.