The Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks meet in NHL action from the United Center on Thursday night. Two teams in dire need of a win, who gets theirs here? Let’s dive in and give a Ducks vs. Blackhawks Prediction.
Anaheim Ducks Team Preview
The Anaheim Ducks come into this game looking to rebound from a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche in their last game. Frank Vatrano has a team-high 23 points including a team-high 14 goals and 9 assists while Mason McTavish has 21 points with 10 goals and 11 assists. Ryan Strome has 17 points with a team-high 14 assists while Troy Terry has 14 points with 5 goals and 9 assists. Pavel Mintyukov and Leo Carlsson each have 13 points with Carlsson logging 8 goals and 5 assists while Mintyukov has 10 assists. Lukas Dostal has posted a 5-4 record with a 4.30 GAA and an .878 save percentage in goal for Anaheim while John Gibson is 5-11 with a 2.82 GAA and a .906 save percentage.
Anaheim Ducks Team Facts
- The Ducks have lost four of their last five games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Ducks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 Thursday games as favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Ducks’ last six games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
- The Ducks have lost the first period in each of their last 10 games.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks come into this one trying to snap a four-game losing skid after a 4-3 shootout loss to Nashville 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 13 points with 8 goals and 5 assists and Nick Foligno has 12 points with 4 goals and 8 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 2-8-1 with a 3.62 GAA and an .884 save percentage this season.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts
- The Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 11 games after coming off a shootout.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven home games after coming off a shootout.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in 11 of the Blackhawks’ last 12 games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in seven of their last eight night games at United Center.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.46).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.67).
- The Anaheim Ducks ranks 28th in the league for goals per game this season (2.72).
- The Anaheim Ducks ranks T27th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.48).
Ducks vs. Blackhawks Prediction
I’m backing the under here. I know both of these teams are struggling right now, but as bad as the defense has been in spots, a lot of it has to do with a lack of offense on both sides as well. I could easily see this being an ugly, 3-2 kind of game, so give me the under here.
