Free NHL Picks Today: Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild 10/30/22

Two of the league’s most penalized teams are set to face off at United Center on Sunday, as the Minnesota Wild (-185) head to face the Chicago Blackhawks (+155). The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)Both teams will be playing the second of a back-to-back.

The Blackhawks are 0-1 without rest, while the Wild are facing their first back-to-back of the season. Minnesota (3-4-1) is coming off a 2-1 loss against the Red Wings yesterday. The Wild conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities.

Kirill Kaprizov was the only player to find the net for the Wild. Filip Gustavsson saved 23 of 25 shots in the loss. Chicago (4-3-1) is back home for a four-game homestand after a 4-3 overtime loss against the Sabres yesterday. Jason Dickinson, Taylor Raddysh, and Sam Lafferty scored one apiece for the Blackhawks. Arvid Soderblom saved 41 of 45 shots in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Wild won all four games between the teams last season, including a 3-1 victory in their final meeting in March, their fifth straight win against Chicago. Jon Merrill led Minnesota with two points (0G 2A). Seth Jones scored Chicago’s only goal. Cam Talbot got the win, saving 21 of 22 shots (.954%).

FACING OFF

Minnesota is averaging 3.38 goals per game so far this season, 10th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.38 goals a game (23rd). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 3.50 times a game on average, seventh in the league, and the Wild are allowing opponents to score 4.00 goals per game (28th).

Chicago averages fewer shots (26.1) than most teams in the league, ranking 30th, though the team’s 13.4% shooting percentage is first. Minnesota has struggled with stopping shots, ranking No. 28 with a team save percentage of .879%.

Power play opportunities during the game are likely to be plentiful, as the Wild and Blackhawks have more penalties per game than most teams in the NHL. The Blackhawks have been penalized 5.38 times a game on average (29th), while the Wild are averaging 5.62 penalties, most in the league.

The Wild’s 30.00% power play percentage is the third-best in the league, while Chicago’s 27.59% conversion rate ranks fifth. In terms of defending power plays, Minnesota has the league’s 23rd-ranked PK% at 76.67%, while Chicago is 27th at 72.97%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 12 and 11 points this season, Mats Zuccarello and Kaprizov have been the top skaters for the Wild. Zuccarello is the eighth-leading point scorer in the NHL. Kaprizov is among the league leaders with his six goals (8th). In the net, Marc-Andre Fleury (3-1-1) is Minnesota’s top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 3.88 GAA and a .879% save percentage.Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with eight points. He has two goals and six assists in eight games. Alex Stalock (3-2-0) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 3.00. He has a save percentage of .913%.