The Chicago Blackhawks (+180) will be out to prolong their winning run when they welcome the Edmonton Oilers (-220) at United Center on Thursday. The total is 6.5 (O: -125, U: +105) Edmonton (4-3-0) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 3-1 win over the Blues yesterday.
The Oilers conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities. Zach Hyman, Jesse Puljujarvi, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each scored once for the Oilers. Hyman added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Stuart Skinner saved an impressive 37 of 38 shots (.973%) in the win.
Chicago (4-2-0) won their fourth straight game, beating the Panthers 4-2 on Tuesday. Four players found the net for the Blackhawks. Patrick Kane scored and provided an assist to lead the team in scoring. Alex Stalock was impressive in the win, making 29 saves (.935%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blackhawks won two of the three games between the teams last season, including a 4-3 (OT) victory in their final meeting in March. P. Kane led Chicago with two points (1G 1A). Evander Kane (2G 0A), Leon Draisaitl (1G 1A), and Connor McDavid (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Edmonton. Marc-Andre Fleury got the win, saving 29 of 32 shots (.906%).
FACING OFF
Edmonton is averaging 3.57 goals per game so far this season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 2.83 goals a game (9th). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 3.33 times a game on average, 12th in the league, and the Oilers are allowing opponents to score 3.00 goals per game (13th).
Chicago averages fewer shots per game (24.5) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 13.6% shooting percentage is third. With an average of 33.3 attempts, Edmonton ranks 11th.Power play opportunities ought to be plentiful for the Oilers, as the Blackhawks have been penalized 5.17 times a game, fifth-most in the NHL, for an average of 12.83 minutes (first-highest).
The visitors are averaging 4.43 penalties (13th) and 9.43 penalty minutes a game (15th).The Blackhawks’ 33.33% power play percentage is the second-best in the league, while Edmonton’s 31.82% conversion rate ranks fourth. In terms of penalty killing, Chicago has the league’s 13th-ranked PK% at 81.48%, while Edmonton is 26th at 73.33%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Draisaitl and McDavid have been the top skaters for the Oilers this season with 12 and 11 points. They are the fourth- and sixth-leading point scorers in the NHL. McDavid is among the league leaders with his five goals (5th), while Draisaitl leads the league with nine assists. In the net, Skinner (1-1-0) is Edmonton’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 1.44 GAA, third-best in the league, and a .957% save percentage, second-best. Jack Campbell (3-2-0) leads the Oilers in games played in goal. He has a GAA of 3.61 and a save percentage of .895%.Tyler Johnson leads the Blackhawks in scoring with six points. He has two goals and four assists. Stalock (3-1-0) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 2.09. He has a save percentage of .938%.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is looking to remain undefeated at United Center this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Edmonton Oilers (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
