Free NHL Picks Today: Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks 3/16/23

The Nashville Predators (34-24-7) will be looking to add to their winning run when they play host to the Chicago Blackhawks (23-38-6) at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday. Chicago is playing their first of five games on the road coming off a high-scoring 6-3 win over the Bruins on Tuesday, ending a three-game losing streak.

The Blackhawks committed only two penalties in the game, holding Boston without a power play goal. Taylor Raddysh led the Blackhawks with a hat trick. Alex Stalock saved only 23 of 26 shots (.884%) in the win.

Nashville won for the third straight game, beating the Red Wings 2-1 on Tuesday. Kiefer Sherwood and Tommy Novak both scored once for the Predators. Sherwood added an assist to lead the team in scoring. Juuse Saros saved 28 of 29 shots in the win (.965%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Predators have won both games between the teams this season, including a 3-1 victory in their most recent meeting on March 4, their fifth straight win against Chicago. Yakov Trenin led Nashville with two points (0G 2A). Seth Jones scored Chicago’s only goal. Saros got the win, saving 27 of 28 shots (.964%).

FACING OFF

Chicago is averaging 2.52 goals per game for the season, 31st in the NHL, and they are taking on a Predators team that is allowing 2.89 goals a game (12th). Meanwhile, Nashville has found the net 2.83 times a game on average, 25th in the league, and the Blackhawks are allowing opponents to score 3.54 goals per game (25th).

Chicago averages fewer shots/game (26.6) than any other team in the league. Nashville has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 3 with a team save percentage of .919%.

The Blackhawks’ 16.67% power play percentage is the fifth-lowest in the league, while the Predators rank 25th with a conversion rate of 18.63%. When it comes to defending power plays, Nashville has the league’s 12th-ranked PK% at 81.57%, while Chicago is 22nd at 76.41%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Max Domi and Patrick Kane have been the top skaters for the Blackhawks this season with 49 and 45 points. In the net, Petr Mrazek (8-19-3) is Chicago’s top goaltender. He has a 3.63 GAA and a .895% save percentage.

Roman Josi leads the Predators in scoring with 58 points. He has 17 goals and 41 assists in 65 games. Saros (26-18-6) is the top goalie for Nashville with a goals against average of 2.75. He has a save percentage of .918%.