The Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks meet in NHL action from the United Center on Tuesday night. Can the Blackhawks defend home ice? Or will the Predators keep their solid run of form going? Let’s dive in and give out a Predators vs. Blackhawks Prediction.

Nashville Predators Team Preview

The Nashville Predators come into this game looking to build on their 2-1 win over Buffalo in their last game. Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in scoring with 28 points including a team-high 13 goals and 15 assists while Ryan O’Reilly has 21 points with 11 goals of his own and 10 assists. Gustav Nyquist has 17 points with 14 assists while Roman Josi has 17 points of his own with 12 assists. Juuse Saros has made 19 starts in goal for Nashville this season, going 9-10 with a 3.05 GAA and an .900 save percentage while Kevin Lankinen is 3-2 with a 3.04 GAA and a .902 save percentage this season.

Nashville Predators Team Facts

The underdogs have won six of the Predators’ last nine games at United Center.
The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Predators’ last eight games.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last nine games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
The Predators have won the first period in each of their last four games following a road win.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks come into this game looking to rebound from a third straight loss after a 4-1 loss to Minnesota last time out. Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 20 points including a team-high 11 goals along with 9 assists while Philipp Kurashev has 13 points with 4 goals and a team-high 9 assists. Jason Dickinson has 12 points with 7 goals and 5 assists and Ryan Donato has 10 points with 4 goals and 6 assists. Petr Mrazek has gone 5-8 with a 3.42 GAA and an .899 save percentage in goal for the Blackhawks while Arvid Soderblom is 2-8 with a 3.71 GAA and an .883 save percentage this season.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts

The Blackhawks have lost each of their last 12 games against Central Division opponents.
The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 12 games against Central Division opponents.
The Blackhawks have lost the third period in each of their last seven night games at United Center.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last 11 games against Western Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.43).
The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.70).
The Nashville Predators ranks 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.97%).
The Nashville Predators ranks 31st in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (0.67).

Predators vs. Blackhawks Prediction

I’m rolling with Nashville here. They’ve just been playing the better hockey side-by-side in the last couple of weeks, and scoring is back to being an issue for the Blackhawks who have scored just one goal in each of their last three games. I don’t love the price with the Predators here, but it’s Nashville or nothing for me here.