The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks both come into this game looking to end a losing streak. The pair have only combined for one win in their last 12 games, but one of them will get back in the win column tonight.
The Blackhawks have lost four out of their last five contests, but they have defeated the Ducks in the last six straight meetings between the teams.
Our free NHL betting picks and predictions investigate whether Chicago can maintain that domination or if Anaheim can resurrect its playoff hopes after seven straight losses.
Blackhawks vs Ducks odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Ducks opened as home favorites at -120 and the line has slightly moved in their favor as they are now -125. The total opened up at 5.5 but has moved to 6 by the time of this writing.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Blackhawks vs Ducks predictions
Predictions made on 3/23/2022 at 2:45 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Blackhawks vs Ducks game info
• Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
• Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2022
• Puck drop: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: TNT
Blackhawks vs Ducks betting preview
Key injuries
Blackhawks: Tyler Johnson F (Out), Connor Murphy D (Out), Jujhar Khaira F (Out), Andrew Shaw F (Out).
Ducks: Jakob Silfverberg F (Out), Urho Vaakanainen D (Out), Ryan Getzlaf F (Out), Max Jones F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Blackhawks vs Ducks head-to-head record since 2018-19
Blackhawks: 7-1-0 SU, 33 goals for.
Ducks: 1-6-1 SU, 17 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The favorite is 19-7 in the last 26 meetings between these teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs. Ducks.
Blackhawks vs Ducks picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Anaheim Ducks are simply riding the struggle bus right now, but they are due for a win on home ice against a weaker Chicago Blackhawks opponent. The Ducks played toe-to-toe with the Nashville Predators on Monday night, but they got into some penalty trouble and couldn’t keep the Preds off the board.
The Blackhawks have traded away some big names and have gone 1-4 in their last five games. Team defense and goaltending have been a major concern for this team all season as they are averaging 3.44 goals against per game (25th). Now that they've traded away Marc-Andre Fleury, their expected number one goalie is Kevin Lankinen, who has had a bit of a sophomore slump. He is 3-8-4 on the year with a .889 save percentage and a horrendous -16.6 GSAx (109th). This gives Anaheim a massive advantage in net.
Even though John Gibson has had somewhat of an off-year, he is by far the much better goalie. He is 17-20-9 on the year with a .905 save percentage and a -10.8 GSAx (102nd).
Both teams have their own defensive flaws. The Blackhawks are better in their own end as they allow fewer high-danger chances than the Ducks, but when it comes to offense, the Hawks are the worst team at generating high-danger chances at only 9.29 per game.
This is a great opportunity for the Ducks to put an end to this streak against a weak Chicago goalie and a team that struggles to score and create offense. Anaheim’s offense may not be so hot right now, but they are the better team this season when it comes to production and I see this as a great spot for them to find their spark back.
Prediction: Ducks ML (-125)
Over/Under analysis
There are two offensive players to key in on for each of these teams. For the Blackhawks, it is the duo of Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. Despite the team’s failures, Kane leads the team in scoring and is having a great individual season. He has 19 goals and 52 assists for 71 points in 59 games. DeBrincat is a pure goal scorer as he has 34 goals and 22 assists for 56 points in 63 games.
Most of the Hawks' production stems from these two players and they both were able to tally points in their last game. Kane had two assists and DeBrincat had one.
For the Ducks, the two forwards to focus on are their leading scorers Troy Terry and rookie sensation Trevor Zegras. Terry is having a career year with 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points in 60 games. Zegras has become a household name with his insane skill set and he has 16 goals and 30 assists in 58 games.
The apparent lack of team defense between both of these hockey clubs is very alarming. Chicago is allowing 3.44 goals against per game and that is with Fleury getting a majority of their starts. Lankinen has a 3.51 goals-against average, so the Ducks should be able to get their chances.
The Hawks were able to find the back of the net four times in their previous game and with the way has been playing, they should be able to produce again tonight.
Neither team boasts strong goaltending or consistent defense, so I think both teams will be able to finish tonight.
Prediction: Over 6 (-110)
Best bet
If you ask me, this is a must-win game for the Ducks if they want to have any shot at making the playoffs. They aren’t going to find an opponent as weak as the Blackhawks, plus they have the home-ice advantage and are 16-13-4 at the Honda Center. Anaheim hasn’t played the Blackhawks at home yet this season, which factors into why they are 0-2 in the first two matchups.
Anaheim also has a big special teams advantage with the league's 11th best power-play and 10th best penalty kill. The Ducks showed a ton of urgency against the Predators, they just couldn’t stay out of the penalty box.
I expect a much more disciplined effort from them tonight on their way back into the win column.
Pick: Ducks ML (-125)
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