Two clubs that split their head-to-head series 1-1 a year ago, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Florida Panthers collide at the BB&T Center in an East-West showdown. NBC Sports Chicago will showcase the game, which gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers Odds
Chicago (-105) is currently the underdog to Florida (-115) and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -120 over, +100 under.
Chicago is 10-11 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. 10 of its outings have gone over the total, while another 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. The Hawks are 5-6 SU as an away team in 2017-18.
Chicago has converted on just 16.7 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. Its penalty kill is ranked eighth overall, and the teams successfully killed off 83.8 percent of all penalties.
The Hawks, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.2 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 3.4 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .932 save percentage, Corey Crawford (9-9-1) has been the best option in goal for Chicago this year. If head coach Joel Quenneville decides to rest him, however, Chicago might turn to Anton Forsberg (2-4-2 record, .904 save percentage, 3.81 goals against average).
The visiting Blackhawks will be led by Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Kane has 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists, and has recorded two or more points in three different games. DeBrincat has seven goals and six assists to his credit, and has registered a point in 10 games.
Florida is 8-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 21 regular season contests, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and none have pushed. This year, the team is 5-5 SU as the home team.
The Panthers have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 29th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida players have been penalized 4.5 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their last five outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Roberto Luongo has denied 34.1 shots per game as the primary netminder in goal for the Panthers. Luongo has five wins, six losses, and one OT loss to his name and has maintained a 2.59 goals against average and a .931 save percentage this year.
Vincent Trocheck (nine goals, 13 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the Panthers.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Panthers are 2-6 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blackhawks are 2-2 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- The total has gone under in four of Florida’s last five games.
- Florida skaters have averaged 16.6 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.8 giveaways per game (ranked 29th in the NHL).
- Chicago skaters have averaged 8.4 giveaways over its last five home games, its season average of 8.9 giveaways per game (ranked 11th).
