Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Prediction

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The United Center will be hosting an East-West clash as the Florida Panthers travel to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The action will get underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12, and it can be watched live on Sportsnet.

Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds

Producing 5.0 units for moneyline bettors, Chicago is 14-16 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 50-32 record that the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 30 regular season contests, 16 have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just one has pushed. The teams 8-7 SU at home this season. The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties. The Blackhawks, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five outings home outings. The teams had to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total. Averaging 29.2 saves per game with a .932 save percentage, Corey Crawford (13 wins, 10 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary option in goal for the Hawks this year. If head coach Joel Quenneville chooses to rest him, however, Chicago might roll with Anton Forsberg (2-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.32 goals against average). Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat will each lead the charge for the Blackhawks. Kane (29 points) is up to 10 goals and 19 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. DeBrincat has 12 goals and nine assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 15 contests. On the other side of the rink, Florida is 12-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 30 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team, the Panthers are 6-9 SU so far. The Panthers have converted on 17.8 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.6 percent of all penalties. Florida’s players have been penalized 4.4 times per game in total this season, and 6.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays a whopping 15.0 minutes per game over their last five outings. Roberto Luongo (31.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Florida. Luongo has six wins, nine losses, and two OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .928 save percentage and 2.62 goals against average this year. Jonathan Huberdeau (nine goals, 23 assists) has been one of the top offensive facilitators for the visiting Panthers.

Florida Panthers at Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks

Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over

Betting Trends

  • The Panthers are 5-7 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Blackhawks are 3-4 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
  • Two of Florida’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-2 overall in shootouts this season.
  • The total has gone under in four of Chicago’s last five games.
  • Chicago skaters have averaged 11.0 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 9.4 giveaways per game (ranked 14th).
  • Florida skaters have averaged 11.4 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 12.7 giveaways per game (ranked 28th overall).