Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 12/17/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Friday, December 17, 2021

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Predators (-136) Blackhawks (+112)

Marc-Andre Fleury and the Chicago Blackhawks (11-15-2) play the Nashville Predators (17-10-1) at United Center on Friday. The Blackhawks open this matchup at +112 while the Predators are priced at -136. The O/U has been set at 5.5.

The Nashville Predators came out of this game feeling pretty good about themselves with a 1-0 win against the Rangers in their last game. Nashville accounted for 2 penalty mins in this matchup. The Predators didn't have their best offensive outing in this victory. Furthermore, they had 1 attempt on the power play but weren't able to score. In the outing, they converted 1 out of the 24 shots they tried.

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Nashville Predators opponents have totaled 88 power play opportunities (9th in professional hockey) and have earned 19 goals in those attempts. The Predators have had 831 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .910. Nashville has tried 833 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.6%. When at even strength, the Predators let the opposition score 56 goals while getting 62 when they are on offense. Nashville skates onto the rink with 76 power play chances and they have scored 18 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 23.68%. For the current campaign, they have tallied 35 points and their points percentage comes in at .625. With regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Nashville Predators have accounted for 80 goals (18th in hockey) this year and have given up 75.

The player in the crease for this game is David Rittich. In his career, Rittich has recorded 68 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .544. He has a save percentage of .906 for his 7,560 mins played. Rittich has had 3,808 shots taken against him and has recorded 3,451 saves. Opponents have tallied 357 goals against Rittich in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.83. He has earned an overall mark of 67-41-16 and was named the starter in 125 games. Rittich has participated in 139 matchups during his hockey career.

When they were on the ice last, Chicago played the Capitals in a matchup where the Blackhawks took home the victory by a final score of 5-4. They had 6 opportunities on the power play in this outing and converted 3 goals out of those attempts. The Blackhawks had 5 goals of the 28 shots on goal they took.

For the season, the Chicago Blackhawks are sitting with 64 goals, 24 points, as well as a points percentage of .429. They have permitted 90 goals to be scored by of a combination of 74 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blackhawks are sitting with 47 goals at even strength and 17 goals (16th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have earned 88 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 19.32%. Chicago has attempted 784 shots (28th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.16%, while allowing the other team 884 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 79.22% on their oppositions 77 tries on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 89.8%.

Across the rink you are expected to see Marc-Andre Fleury patrolling the crease. Fleury has accumulated a lifetime mark of 501-286-82 and has been in net for 902 contests. Fleury's quality start rate sits at 55.5% and he has made 414 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has accrued 23,374 saves out of 25,595 shots tried, giving him a rate of .913. His opponents are averaging 2.55 goals per game and he has yielded 2,221 goals overall. He has started in 746 contests and has been on the ice for 52,199 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Nashville (-136)

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