Bo Horvat, Elias Pettersson, and the Vancouver Canucks will face off against Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center in a Western Conference matchup. The match will get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 18, and you’ll be able to catch it live on Sportsnet.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Moneyline odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Chicago is 32-39 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.8 units this season. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to the 33-49 record the team managed during the 2017-18 season campaign. Of the team’s 71 games this season, 47 have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and just four have pushed. Thus far, the team is 16-19 SU at home.
The Blackhawks have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 73.9 percent of all penalties.
With a .893 save percentage and 29.7 saves per game, Cam Ward (14-16-4) has been the best option in goal for the Hawks this year. If Chicago chooses to give him the night off, however, head coach Jeremy Colliton may turn to Corey Crawford (12-18-18 record, .907 save percentage, 3.07 goals against average).
In the other locker room, Vancouver is 30-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. A total of 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 29 have gone over and just four have pushed. As the visiting team, the Canucks are 14-24 SU.
The Canucks have converted on just 14.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 14th overall and it’s successfully defended 81.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Jacob Markstrom (2.71 goals against average and .915 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom is averaging 29.0 saves per game and has 26 wins, 29 losses, and nine overtime losses to his credit.
Vancouver Canucks at Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Penalties and power plays could play a critical role in the outcome of this game. The Canucks are 9-20 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 19-27 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Blackhawks are 11-16 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 25-30 in games where total penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Three of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 1-2 in those games and 4-5 overall in shootouts this season.
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- Vancouver skaters have averaged 8.0 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 7.5 giveaways per game (the fifth-fewest in the NHL).
- Chicago is ranked 13th this season with 9.7 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it’s averaged 13.4 giveaways over its last 10 games and 15.4 giveaways over its last five.
