The Nashville Predators (18-10-1) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (11-15-2) Friday at United Center. Puck drop is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Predators vs. Blackhawks odds and lines and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
Nashville rolls into Chicago on a six-game win streak. Those half-dozen victories include four on the road and three or four monster puck-possession performances. The Predators have held foes to just 24.8 shots per game across the six-game span.
The Blackhawks have alternated wins and losses for their last 13 games. They are coming off a 5-4 overtime triumph over the Washington Capitals Wednesday. The Blackhawks are 5-2 over their last seven home games; that stretch began Nov. 7 with a 2-1 overtime victory against these Predators.
Predators at Blackhawks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:58 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Predators +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Blackhawks -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Predators +1.5 (-240) | Blackhawks -1.5 (+175)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -102 | U: -122)
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Predators at Blackhawks projected goalies
David Rittich (3-1-0, 3.10 GAA, .880 SV%) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (9-10-0, 2.85 GAA, .913 SV%)
Rittich is coming off back-to-back wins, but he owns a mere .847 SV% over his last three starts. He’s posted a similar save percentage (.856) over four career outings versus Chicago.
Fleury allowed 4 goals to the Capitals Wednesday but was quite good in facing 46 shots. The winner of 501 career games is 4-1 over his last five starts.
Predators at Blackhawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Blackhawks 3, Predators 2
Money line
CHICAGO (-140) is a solid price on a club that is a little healthier than it was a month ago. The ‘Hawks power play has been sharp of late (6-for-20, 30.0% in December), and so has its top netminder.
Nashville’s penalty kill (78.3%) ranks 24th in the league, and the Preds are in the box more than the average team. Back the Blackhawks.
Against the spread
PASS: this contest has a likable Under, and Chicago has tended to play a lot of close games of late.
Over/Under
The Under is 3-0-1 in Blackhawks’ last four games as a favorite and is 5-1 in the last six series meetings in Chicago.
Peg this total as being gettable on the low side, mostly due to the score-favoring factors and recent trends being slightly fade-worthy. Steer clear of a full-unit bet unless the tags here were to even out at -110. But consider a small play on the UNDER 5.5 (-122).
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