The United Center is the site for an East-West showdown as the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the visiting Florida Panthers. It’s the final time that the two clubs will go at it in the regular season. Sportsnet will showcase the game, which gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 12.
Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Chicago is 14-16 straight up (SU) and has recorded -5.0 units for moneyline bettors 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. Out of its 30 regular season outings, 16 of them have gone under the total, while 13 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team’s 8-7 SU at home this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places 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 penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five games home outings. The team’s 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 (13-10-2) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Hawks this season. If head coach Joel Quenneville decides to rest him, however, the team might roll with Anton Forsberg (2-8-8 record, .906 save percentage, 3.32 goals against average).
The Hawks will continue relying on offensive production from Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. 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 name and has recorded at least one point in 15 games.
Florida is 12-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.3 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 30 regular season contests, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. As the visiting team so far, the Panthers are 6-9 SU.
The Panthers have converted on 17.8 percent of their power play chances this year, 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 been forced to stave off opponent power plays an unhealthy 15.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Roberto Luongo (31.7 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Florida. Luongo has six wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .928 save percentage and 2.62 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will run through Jonathan Huberdeau (nine goals, 23 assists) and Vincent Trocheck (13 goals, 18 assists).
Florida Panthers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
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 spend more time in the box than their opponent.
Two of Florida’s last ten games have ended in 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 outings.
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 in the league).
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).
