Vancouver Canucks vs. Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, NHL Odds
Riding a season-high six-game losing streak, the Blackhawks continue a five-game home stand on Tuesday.
Despite sitting first in the NHL standings, the Canucks haven’t played as well since the All-Star break. They have managed just one regulation win in the four games since their return and their goal-scoring has taken a bit of a dip.
The puck drop will drop at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Windy City’s United Center. Our NHL odds have the Canucks as heavy -275 favourites to win, with the OVER/UNDER set at 6.0 goals.
Canucks vs. Blackhawks NHL Betting Odds
Tonight’s game will complete the three-game season series between these teams, a matchup much closer than most bettors would expect. The season’s first meeting went 4-3 to Vancouver and Chicago even had the lead in the second period. In their most recent meeting, the Hawks outshot the Canucks but could not put one in the back of the net, losing 2-0.
Vancouver’s been dominating the Blackhawks for a while now, winning nine of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2020. In that stretch, they have hit OVER just three times and Chicago has only managed to cover the spread twice.
A 33-20 record against the spread this season makes the Canucks look like a lock to cover almost every night, which has not been the case as of late. They have covered just twice in the last 12 games, but they are still leading the league in covers. Offence has fallen off a tick since the All-Star break as Vancouver has scored three or less goals in the four games since the break. They have hit the OVER in back-to-back games now, bumping their record up to 30-20-3 on the OVER/UNDER.
The Blackhawks have lost their past six games, but they have not been an easy opponent, especially in their past three games, where they have covered the spread each time. They now have a 24-28 record ATS which is pretty impressive considering their 14-35-3 record this season. Without Rookie Connor Bedard, it is obvious the team lacks offence. During Bedard’s 13-game absence, Chicago’s highest-scoring game was three goals and they have done that only three times.
Vancouver Canucks
After back-to-back losses, the Canucks bounced back on Super Bowl Sunday with a 3-2 overtime win in a low-event game versus the Washington Capitals. After giving up a goal in the first minute of the game, Conor Garland (9) tied things up mid-way through the first period. The Caps took the lead again in the second, but Nils Hoglander (16) scored 71 seconds later making it 2-2. A scoreless third set up overtime and with just five seconds to go, J.T. Miller (23) ended the game and put the ‘Nucks back in the win column.
The Canucks 37th overall pick back in 2018 is set to make his NHL debut Tuesday in Chicago after being called up from the AHL. Defenceman Jett Woo will get his first taste of the big league because the Canucks placed Carson Soucy on the IR and Nikita Zadorov is serving the last of his two-game suspension.
Elias Pettersson is leading the team with five points in the four games played this month and he continues to lead the team in points for the year. He has 69 points (28G 41A) so far this season, putting him on pace to surpass his career-high set last season.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are inching back toward the win column after taking their last game to overtime versus the New York Rangers. Alex Vlasic (2) got the Blackhawks on the board first, giving Chicago their first lead in the past six games. It did not last long though, as the Rangers went on to score three consecutive goals to go up 3-1 headed to the third period. The Hawks showed some character in the final frame, sparked by Nick Foligno’s 11th goal to cut the lead to one. With the goalie pulled and just a minute left in regulation, Jason Dickinson (16) sent the game to overtime, securing the Hawks at least a point in the standings. Petr Mrazek played solid in net, stopping 31 of 35 shots faced in the game, but it would not be enough as the Hawks fell in overtime.
Foligno has scored in both of Chicago’s games since the All-Star break and Philip Kurashev is leading the team with three assists in February. Kurashev (27 points) has already surpassed his career-high and is on pace for 40 points this season.
The suffering is almost over for Chicago as Bedard is on track in his recovery and is expected to be back by Monday’s game in Carolina. Bedard leads the team and all NHL rookies in scoring with 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in just 39 games.
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