The Chicago Blackhawks (22-37-5) head to face the Florida Panthers (32-27-6) at FLA Live Arena on Friday. Chicago is coming off a 4-3 loss against the Red Wings on Wednesday, their third defeat in a row away from home.
The Blackhawks took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on three shots, while also conceding a power play goal. Taylor Raddysh led the Blackhawks with two goals. Alex Stalock saved only 37 of 41 shots against (.902%) in the loss.
Florida beat the Golden Knights 2-1 on Tuesday. Aleksander Barkov and Ryan Lomberg both scored once for the Panthers. Sergei Bobrovsky was impressive in the win, making 31 saves (.968%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Blackhawks won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 4-2 victory in October. Patrick Kane led Chicago with two points (1G 1A). Eetu Luostarinen and Matthew Tkachuk were on the scoresheet for Florida. Stalock got the win, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935%).
FACING OFF
Chicago is averaging 2.48 goals per game for the season, worst in the NHL, and they are taking on a Panthers team that is allowing 3.34 goals a game (23rd).
Meanwhile, Florida has found the net 3.37 times a game on average, ninth in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.55 goals per game (26th).
Florida averages more shots a game (36.5) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 9.3% shooting percentage ranks 27th. With an average of 26.7 attempts, Chicago ranks 31st.
Look for a few power play opportunities for the Blackhawks, as the Panthers have been penalized 4.78 times a game, most in the NHL, for an average of 12.08 minutes (first-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.61 penalties (24th) and 9.22 penalty minutes a game (13th). The Blackhawks will be looking to build on their 28th-ranked power play percentage of 17.11% against the Panthers, who are the league’s fourth-weakest penalty killing team (74.04%).
Florida, meanwhile, has scored on 20.74% of their power play opportunities (17th), which the home team will be aiming to improve on against Chicago’s 23rd-ranked 76.06% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
Max Domi and Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 49 and 45 points. In the net, Petr Mrazek (8-18-2) is Chicago’s top goaltender. He has a 3.74 GAA and a .891% save percentage.
Tkachuk leads the Panthers in scoring with 81 points (7th in the league). He has 28 goals and 53 assists (7th) in 62 games. Bobrovsky (20-17-2) has the best goals against average for Florida at 2.93. He has a save percentage of .907%.
HOME AND AWAY
Chicago is 9-19-2 on the road this season. Florida is 18-10-3 at FLA Live Arena this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Florida Panthers -2.5 (+100)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
