Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Prediction, 1/1/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators

Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022

Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN

TV: Bally Sports South

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+148) Predators (-175)

Bridgestone Arena is the location where the Nashville Predators (19-11-2) will compete against the Chicago Blackhawks (11-15-4) on Saturday. The line on this matchup has the Blackhawks at +148 while the Predators open at -175. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Chicago Blackhawks had a rough game after their 4-3 loss to the Stars their last time out. Chicago accumulated 6 minutes in the box in this outing. Additionally, they had 3 power play opportunities and were able to score 1 goal. The Blackhawks had an average offensive performance in this defeat. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 23 shots they attempted.

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Chicago Blackhawks opponents have totaled 90 power play opportunities (14th in professional hockey) and have notched 21 goals in those chances. The Blackhawks have had 954 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .898. Chicago has tried 826 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 8.4%. When playing at even strength, the Blackhawks let the opposition score 76 goals while earning 51 on the offensive side of the ice. Chicago skates onto the rink with 96 power play opportunities and they have scored 18 goals out of those attempts, garnering them a percentage of 18.75%. For the season, they have recorded 26 points and their points percentage sits at .433. Regarding their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have tallied 69 goals (30th in the National Hockey League) on the season and have surrendered 97.

The man in goal for this game is Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen has been in net for 48 games during his hockey career. He has amassed an overall record of 19-19-8 and he has started in 47 games. The opposition has racked up 146 goals against Lankinen in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 3.10. Lankinen has seen 1,523 shot attempts taken against him and he has 1,377 total saves. His save percentage is at .904 during his 2,822 minutes played. Over the course of his time in hockey, Lankinen has 22 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .468.

In their last outing, Nashville went up against the Blue Jackets in a matchup where the Predators ended up taking the loss by a final score of 4-3. The Predators notched 3 goals out of the 34 shots on goal they pursued. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this contest and netted 1 goal out of those opportunities.

Nashville has put up 953 shots (18th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.86%, while allowing the opposition 942 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 81.13% on their opponents 106 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.8%. They have a total of 93 power play opportunities and they have a power play percentage of 24.73%. The Predators have racked up 71 goals at even strength and 23 goals (7th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have allowed 87 goals to be scored by of a combination of 67 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the campaign, the Nashville Predators have 94 goals, 40 points, and a points percentage of .625.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Juuse Saros defending the net. He has accrued 4,839 stops out of the 5,256 shots taken, giving him a save % of .921. Saros is the owner of a lifetime record of 91-56-18 and has participated in 180 games. He has made the start in 164 contests and has played 10,147 mins. Saros' percentage of quality starts is 62.8% and he has qualified for 103 quality starting assignments in his pro career. Opponents are averaging 2.47 goals per game and he has yielded 417 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago (+148)

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