Free NHL Picks Today: Arizona Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks 2/28/23

The Arizona Coyotes (-170) welcome the Chicago Blackhawks (+145) at Mullett Arena on Tuesday. The total is 6 (O: -115, U: -105)Chicago (21-33-5) is playing their last of four games on the road with the second of a back-to-back after suffering a 4-2 loss against the Ducks yesterday, ending a five-game winning streak.

The Blackhawks committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Tyler Johnson and Andreas Athanasiou both scored once for the Blackhawks. Johnson added an assist to share the scoring lead with Max Domi, who had two assists.

Petr Mrazek only had 29 saves on 33 shots against (.878%) in the loss. Arizona (20-30-9) is wrapping up a four-game homestand after a 6-2 loss against the Predators on Sunday.

Nick Schmaltz and Shayne Gostisbehere both scored once for the Coyotes. Schmaltz added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Connor Ingram saved only 28 of 34 shots against (.823%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Blackhawks have won both games between the teams this season, including a 4-3 (OT) victory in their most recent meeting on February 10, their third straight win against Arizona.

Athanasiou led Chicago with three points (1G 2A). Clayton Keller led Arizona with three points (1G 2A). Jaxson Stauber got the win despite saving only 23 of 26 shots (.884%).

FACING OFF

Chicago is averaging 2.49 goals per game for the season, worst in the NHL, and they are taking on a Coyotes team that is allowing 3.53 goals a game (25th).

Meanwhile, Arizona has found the net 2.66 times a game on average, 28th in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.58 goals per game (26th).

Both teams average fewer shots a game than any other team in the league. Chicago ranks No. 31 with 27.0 shots, while Arizona’s 25.7 average ranks 32nd.

When it comes to shot-stopping, the Coyotes have been more successful, stopping .905% of shots as a team (17th), while the Blackhawks have a team save percentage of .899% (25th).

Don’t be surprised to see several power play opportunities for the Blackhawks, as the Coyotes have been penalized 4.51 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 10.93 minutes (seventh-highest). The visitors are averaging 3.59 penalties (23rd) and 9.25 penalty minutes a game (12th).

The Coyotes’ 18.99% power play percentage ranks 24th in the league, while the Blackhawks are 27th with a conversion rate of 17.92%. In terms of penalty killing, Chicago has the league’s 21st-ranked PK% at 76.44%, while Arizona is 26th at 74.77%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Domi and Patrick Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 49 and 45 points. In the net, Arvid Soderblom (2-10-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 3.45 GAA and a .894% save percentage. Mrazek (8-15-2) leads the Blackhawks in games played in goal.

He has a GAA of 3.81 and a save percentage of .890%.Keller leads the Coyotes in scoring with 56 points. He has 24 goals and 32 assists in 59 games.

Ingram (5-12-4) has the best goals against average for Arizona at 3.30. He has a save percentage of .908%. Karel Vejmelka (15-18-5) has played the most games in net for the Coyotes this season. He has a 3.38 GAA and a .903% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Chicago is 9-17-2 away from United Center this season. Arizona is 13-10-2 at home this season. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are 1-9 without a day off and 1-5 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Coyotes are 3-3 with a rest advantage.