Chicago Blackhawks at Carolina Hurricanes odds, picks and prediction
The Chicago Blackhawks (9-5-4) visit the Carolina Hurricanes (10-3-1) in a Friday night (7 p.m. ET) tussle at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. Below, we analyze the Blackhawks-Hurricanes NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Blackhawks at Hurricanes: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports' betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line : Blackhawks +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Hurricanes -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS : Blackhawks +1.5 (-165) | Hurricanes -1.5 (+140)
- Over/Under : 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Blackhawks at Hurricanes: Projected starting goalies
Kevin Lankinen (7-2-3, .930 SV%, 2.29 GAA) vs. James Reimer (7-1-0, .895 SV%, 3.10 GAA)
Lankinen owns a .935 SV% over three road games. The Chicago rookie is coming off a nice bounce-back effort after allowing 6 goals against the Columbus Blue Jackets Feb. 11. He then stopped 29 of 31 shots in a win over the Jackets two nights later. Lankinen stopped 55 of 58 shots in back-to-back wins against Detroit Jan. 22 and 24.
Reimer made 37 saves in a home win against Columbus Monday. He started both games against Chicago on Feb. 2 and Feb. 4: he was touched up for eight goals, but half of those were of the power-play variety.
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Blackhawks at Team: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Hurricanes 3, Blackhawks 2
Money line (ML)
The Hawks and Hurricanes split a pair of high-scoring games (combined 17 goals) in early February. Carolina scored eight goals in that series and has averaged 4.50 goals per game in six efforts since (4-1-1 record). The Canes' puck-possession numbers have been strong of late: in the month of February, Carolina is getting 58.8% of 5-on-5 high-danger looks. Their 13.1 high-danger shots per game over that span rank third in the league.
Perhaps springboarding from that first meeting with the 'Canes with some confidence, the Blackhawks have also been on a roll of late. Chicago is coming off a two-game sweep of the Red Wings in Detroit and is 5-1-0 in its last six. The 'Hawks have gotten things done differently than the Hurricanes. A youthful bunch posting iffy Corsi and shot-type analytics, Chicago is excelling in special teams and getting solid goaltending. The 'Hawks' 32.7% power play ranks second in the NHL; their 82.1% mark on the PK ranks 11th. Chicago's .919 save percentage ranks fourth.
Both teams appear to be inflated by their records and recent trends. PASS on the ML prices, which may have been a decent Carolina play when the market opened. Chicago +175 would now trigger a play if the line moves further toward the Hurricanes.
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Against the spread (ATS)
SKIP THIS PLAY also, but keep a eye on the Chicago side: in a game with a likable Under, a Blackhawks +1.5 (-155) line would have a sliver of leverage.
Over/Under (O/U)
The most unsupportable numbers on both sides are with the offenses TAKE THE UNDER 6 (-110). The market has shown a bit of lean the other way, so consider holding out until closer to puck drop for a more advantageous total or price
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