The Carolina Hurricanes (8-0-0) face the Chicago Blackhawks (1-7-2) Wednesday at United Center in Chicago. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Hurricanes’ 4.1 goals per game rank third in the league, and they’ve hummed along with a fourth-ranked 28.1 power-play percentage. Carolina leads the league with just 1.5 goals allowed per game.
The Blackhawks posted the first win of their campaign when they topped the Ottawa Senators by a 5-1 count Monday. Carolina doubled up Chicago 6-3 in an Oct. 29 meeting in Raleigh.
Hurricanes 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 8:15 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hurricanes -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Blackhawks +133 (bet $100 to win $133)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (+150) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -130 | U: +105)
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Hurricanes at Blackhawks projected goalies
Frederik Andersen (7-0-0, 1.29 GAA, .956 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (1-5-0, 3.92 GAA, .888 SV%)
It’s seven up and seven down for the Danish goalie who has made fans in the Triangle forget about last season’s breakout performer Alex Nedeljkovic. Andersen has allowed a total of 4 goals across his last five outings.
Fleury was horrible in October as he went 0-5-0 with a 4.63 GAA and .872 SV% in his first five outings. He stopped 29 of the 30 shots Monday against the Senators, but Ottawa is a much different animal than the high-octane Hurricanes.
Hurricanes at Blackhawks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Blackhawks 2
Money line
As expected the HURRICANES (-165) are heavy road favorites. Carolina has been superb defensively, had terrific goaltending and hasn’t missed a beat offensively despite a flurry of moves to change the complexion of the team.
The Blackhawks have managed 2 or fewer goals in six of 10 games, and 3 or fewer in nine outings.
Against the spread
The Blackhawks +1.5 (-200) will cost you two times your potential return, and that’s a little bit too expensive — even playing the home side. Chicago just hasn’t shown many signs of life offensively.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (+105) is the play.
Carolina won 2-1 against the hapless Arizona Coyotes last time out Sunday, and the Under is 3-1 across its last four outings. While the lone Over was the first meeting with the Blackhawks, that’s also the only game backup goalie Antti Raanta started for the Hurricanes. Andersen will be back in there, and that means the Under is in play.
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