The Nashville Predators were dubbed by many to be winners of the offseason. That’s about the only thing they’ve won so far as they’re off to a miserable 1-5 start to the campaign.
The Predators picked up their first victory of the season in their sixth game, blanking the Boston Bruins by a 4-0 scoreline.
My Predators vs. Blackhawks predictions see the road team building on its last performance and picking up another win against one of the league’s worst teams.
Let’s take a closer look with my NHL picks for Friday, October 25.
Predators vs Blackhawks prediction
My best bet
Predators to win in regulation (-105 at Pinnacle)
My analysis
Don’t let the slow start fool you. The Nashville Predators are a good team that has played much better hockey than the results indicate.
They have controlled 53.49% of the expected goal share across all situations, which ranks them ninth in the NHL. Every single team ahead of them in xG is NHL .500 or better, with six of eight teams holding a points percentage above 62.5%.
The Predators are not perfect but they’ve largely done the right things. They just haven’t gotten the results.
For example, they have scored 14 goals through six games despite generating 21.18 expected goals. That’s 7.18 goals below expectation — a lot of goals over a small period of time.
Nashville ranking 31st in team shooting percentage is the biggest reason for that. Call me crazy but I don’t think a team with so much shooting talent — Filip Forsberg, Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Roman Josi, etc. — is going to continue finishing at a miserably low rate.
It’s been a similar story for them defensively, conceding 23 goals despite allowing only 18 expected. Juuse Saros has a long track record as an elite goaltender, and isn’t exactly getting up there in age at just 29, so it stands to reason their ability to keep the puck out should improve moving forward as well.
A date with the Chicago Blackhawks could be just what the doctor ordered to help the Preds get back on track.
They made a lot of changes in the offseason but very much remain a work in progress. Even with young phenom Connor Bedard healthy, the Blackhawks are generating high-danger chances at the lowest rate in the NHL. Their high-danger share of 43% is also among the lowest rates in the NHL.
The Predators should be able to look forward to a healthy edge in shots and chances in this game. Given the additional talent they have to work with, the scoreboard should reflect that.
Look for the Predators to take care of business inside 60 minutes.
Predators vs Blackhawks same-game parlay (SGP)
Predators to win in regulation
Steven Stamkos 1+ points
Jonathan Marchessault 1+ points
Steven Stamkos is a prime regression candidate. He has just one point through six games despite a lot of encouraging signs under the hood. Individually, Stamkos has amassed 46 shot attempts, 22 scoring chances, and a team-leading 3.37 expected goals.
The Predators have generated 94 scoring chances and 10.22 expected goals with Stamkos on the ice — yet they’ve only scored five times. Stamkos, nor the Predators as a whole, are finishing anywhere close to the level you’d expect given the quality they’re generating. That’s going to change sooner rather than later.
It’s a similar story with Jonathan Marchessault, although he’s been a little more productive with four points through six games. The Predators have generated a lot during his ice time and he’s been involved in plenty of it. The puck just hasn’t gone in.
These two are highly correlated as they’re skating on the same line and the top power play unit. Luck could start to turn in a very exploitable matchup.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Predators vs Blackhawks odds
Predators vs Blackhawks live odds
Predators vs Blackhawks opening odds
- Puck line: Nashville -1.5 (+141) | Chicago +1.5 (-160)
- Moneyline: Nashville -180 | Chicago +156
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-108) | Under 6 (-106)
Predators vs Blackhawks trend
Stamkos has hit the scoresheet in five of his last six games against Chicago. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Predators vs Blackhawks
| Location: | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Friday, 10-25-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | HULU |
Predators vs Blackhawks latest injuries
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