The Chicago Blackhawks (2-3-2) and Nashville Predators (3-3-0) meet Wednesday night for a 7:38 p.m. ET puck drop to close out a two-game set at Bridgestone Arena. Below, we analyze the Blackhawks-Predators NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Blackhawks at Predators: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Blackhawks +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Predators -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blackhawks +1.5 (-175) | Predators -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Blackhawks at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Kevin Lankinen (2-0-1, .909 SV%, 2.63 GAA) vs. Juuse Saros (2-2-0, .905 SV%, 3.02 GAA)
Lankinen has looked unflappable through three NHL starts, stopping 56 of 60 pucks in even-strength play. The 25-year-old figures to have a light hold on what is a three-headed job for rebuilding Chicago. Lankinen has yet to defeat anyone but the Detroit Red Wings, but he has looked sharp against in-traffic rebound put-backs.
Saros should return to the net after Pekka Rinne started the first half of the back-to-back. The 25-year-old started with back-to-back wins, but he has allowed a total of 8 goals on a modest 42 shots in back-to-back losses to the Dallas Stars.
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Blackhawks at Predators: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Blackhawks 3, Predators 2
Money line (ML)
Scoring has been an issue for the Predators, who have tallied just 13 regulation goals through six games. Puck-possession and shot analytics are lukewarm on Chicago, which is to say bullish compared to preseason expectations for a defense that ranked last in shots allowed last season.
For a second straight game, Chicago continues on without W Alex Debrincat and D Adam Boqvist, who are both out due to COVID-19 protocols. The Blackhawks have been a surprise with the man advantage (9-for-21), but they were outplayed in even-strength situations Tuesday.
With Lankinen back in net and with the ‘Hawks trying to recapture some mojo from their weekend sweep of the Red Wings, look for a bit more from Chicago Wednesday. Tag this contest as a line watch and pull the trigger on the Blackhawks if you can get a price above +160.
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS. Tuesday’s gameplay would appear to peg this contest in a lower-scoring single-goal affair. The price on Chicago is too steep.
Over/Under (O/U)
Consider a partial-unit play on UNDER 6 (-105). Nashville was so-so offensively Tuesday (and drew iron on a few looks), but the Preds figure as a bottom-third offense and the ‘Hawks might be a tad overvalued early.
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