Defending Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks rolled with back-to-back home victories to keep them near the top of a very competitive Central Division. They now go back on the road in a crucial matchup against divisional foe, the Nashville Predators. The Preds are one point behind third place of the division after a 4-1 loss at Chicago on Tuesday night.
Will the Blackhawks make it two straight against one of their toughest divisional opponents? Or will the Preds keep things interesting in the Central Division? Read on as we take a look at this marquee matchup. Catch more pucks coming your way with our complete previews for the Canadiens vs. Red Wings and Flyers vs. Blues.
[sc:NHLArticles ]
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks aren’t dominating everyone in their attempt at a title defense, but they’ve been solid enough to keep afloat in a competitive Central Division. They’ve been fuelled by stellar play from their core of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and goalie Corey Crawford.
[sc:NHL240 ]Toews has mostly been quiet this season with just 16 points, but Kane has picked up the slack leading the team in goals (17), assists (26), points (43) and plus/minus (13). Kane is on quite a roll embroiled in a 23-game point streak. His latest point was an empty netter against the Preds in the dying moments of a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night.
Keith has been pretty good since returning from a knee injury, recording four goals and seven assists in 12 games. Last season’s Conn Smythe winner had been on a six-game points streak before breaking it Tuesday against Nashville.
Crawford has also been solid between the pipes with back-to-back wins, allowing just one goal each. The Chicago goaltender’s game should remain solid considering he’s 4-1 in his last five games against the Preds.
With their key players all contributing, the Blackhawks may be hard to stop. But they’ve struggled on the road, losing four of their last six.
Betting on the Nashville Predators (14-9-5)
The Nashville Predators are struggling to string together some wins. They’re 3-8 in their last 11 games, including three shutout losses. But those losses were mostly on the road. The Preds have been pretty good at home this season with an 8-3-2 slate.
The Preds will be hard-pressed to take this game from Chicago, who beat them 4-1 on Tuesday. Look for them to test Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford at Bridgestone Arena where he’s struggled recently. The Preds have scored an average of 4.4 goals in Crawford’s last five appearances in Nashville.
Goals-leader James Neal, who has netted 10 times this season, should be up for a big game against Chicago. Neal has scored 12 goals in 19 career regular season games against the Blackhawks. He’ll have some support from Nashville’s cast of excellent playmakers.
Defenseman Roman Josi and forwards Filip Forsberg and Mike Ribeiro have been solid at feeding their teammates pucks. Josi leads the team with 14 assists, while Forsberg and Ribeiro are a step behind with 13 and 12 helpers each. The rest of the Preds have also been very generous with three players tied with nine assists and two with eight. The Preds will have plenty of looks against some suspect goaltending by Chicago’s Crawford on the road.
Nashville also has a strong shot at cooling down Chicago’s offense. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has been stronger at home this season with a 1.98 GAA and .922 save percentage. Rinne has allowed two or less goals in his last four home starts.
The total has gone over in the last three meetings at Bridgestone Arena.
Writer’s Prediction
The Predators win a high-scoring affair against Chicago. Create a betting account now and go big on intense hockey action.
