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Arizona Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Prediction 12/10/17

In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Arizona Coyotes and the Chicago Blackhawks meet at the United Center in a Western Conference matchup. Fox Sports Arizona will air the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10.

Arizona Coyotes vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds

Chicago (-245) is currently favored over Arizona (+205), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under). Those O/U odds have shifted after initially opening at -105 over and -115 under.

Chicago is 13-16 straight up (SU) and has recorded -6.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a noticeable slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (50-32). Through 29 regular season contests, 15 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 7-7 SU at home this season.

The Blackhawks have converted on just 16.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that puts them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.5 percent of all penalties.

As a collective unit, the Blackhawks have been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five outings at home. The team has been forced to stave off opposition power plays for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.

With a .930 save percentage and 29.1 saves per game, Corey Crawford (12 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 give him a breather, however, Chicago could turn to 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 (27 points) is up to 10 goals and 17 assists and has recorded two or more points six times this year. DeBrincat has 12 goals and nine assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 14 games.

On the other side of the rink, Arizona is 7-25 straight up (SU) and has lost 15.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 16 of its games have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just one has pushed. As a road team, the Coyotes are 4-16 SU so far.

The Coyotes have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.2 percent of all penalties.

Arizona’s players have been called for penalties only 3.1 times per game in total this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 4.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Antti Raanta (24.4 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Arizona. Raanta has four wins, 10 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .919 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average this year.

Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Coyotes will be Clayton Keller (11 goals, 12 assists) and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (six goals, 12 assists).

Arizona Coyotes at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions

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

Notes

Betting Notes

The under has hit in three of Chicago’s last five outings.

Arizona has managed 29.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 35.2 shots per game over its last five at home.

Over Arizona’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).

Arizona skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (23.4 per game), but that number’s down to just 18.0 hits over their last five away games.

Written by GMS Previews

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