The Chicago Blackhawks (1-2-0) begin their home schedule at United Center on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings (2-0-1). Detroit is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 overtime loss against the Kings on Monday. The Red Wings committed four penalties in the game, though they held Los Angeles without a power play goal. David Perron led the Red Wings with two goals. Ville Husso saved only 31 of 36 shots against (.861%) in the loss. Chicago is back home for a five-game homestand after a 5-2 win over the Sharks on Saturday. Sam Lafferty scored twice to lead the Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek saved 24 of 26 shots.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was an 8-5 victory for the Blackhawks in January. Dylan Strome led Chicago with four points (3G 1A). Robby Fabbri and Tyler Bertuzzi each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Detroit. Marc-Andre Fleury got the win despite saving only 28 of 33 shots (.848%).
FACING OFF
Detroit is averaging 4.00 goals per game so far this season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 2.67 goals a game (11th). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 2.33 times a game on average, 29th in the league, and the Red Wings are allowing opponents to score 2.33 goals per game (7th). Chicago averages fewer shots (23.0) than any other team in the league. With an average of 31.7 attempts, Detroit ranks 17th.The Blackhawks’ 28.57% power play percentage ranks 13th in the league, while the Red Wings are 27th with a conversion rate of 9.09%. Detroit has been equally successful at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 100.00%. Chicago ranks 27th at 66.67%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With four points each so far this season, Perron (3G 1A), Olli Maatta (1G 3A), and Oskar Sundqvist (1G 3A) are the top skaters for the Red Wings. In the net, Alex Nedeljkovic (1-0-0) is Detroit’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.00 GAA and a .949% save percentage, fifth-best in the league. Husso (1-0-1) leads the Red Wings in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 2.50 and a save percentage of .923%. Lafferty (2G 1A), Jason Dickinson (1G 2A), and Tyler Johnson (0G 3A) lead the Blackhawks in scoring on the season with three points each. Alex Stalock (0-1-0) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 1.03, fifth-best in the league. He has a save percentage of .973%, best. Mrazek (1-1-0) has played the most games in net for the Blackhawks this season. He has a 3.50 GAA and a .885% save percentage.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Detroit Red Wings (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
