Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 12/15/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-157) Blackhawks (+130)

Vitek Vanecek and the Washington Capitals (17-5-6) go to United Center on Wednesday where they'll meet the Chicago Blackhawks (10-15-2). The Capitals open this contest at -157 while the Blackhawks are coming in at +130. The O/U has been set at 5.5.

The Washington Capitals were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 3-2 victory against the Sabres in their previous contest. The Capitals had an average offensive outing in this victory. In the outing, they earned a goal on 3 out of the 42 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 3 chances with extra men on the ice but weren't able to convert one of them into a goal. Washington accumulated 6 penalty mins in this matchup.

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In terms of their scoring capabilities, the Washington Capitals have earned 95 goals (4th in the league) for the season and have given up 70. For the year, they have 40 points and their points percentage sits at .714. Washington has tallied 79 power play opportunities and they have scored 13 goals out of those tries, giving them a percentage of 16.46%. When playing at even strength, the Capitals have conceded 59 goals while getting 82 when they are on offense. Washington has taken 874 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.9%. The Capitals have had 795 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .912. Washington Capitals opponents have totaled 66 power play opportunities (28th in professional hockey) and have racked up 11 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the net in this game is Vitek Vanecek. Vanecek has taken the ice for 51 games throughout his pro hockey career. He has earned an overall record of 26-13-9 and he started in 50 games. The opposition has been able to score 128 goals versus Vanecek in his professional hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.64. Vanecek has seen 1,389 shot attempts taken against him and has gathered 1,261 saves. His save percentage sits at .908 for his 2,905 mins in the crease. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Vanecek has 24 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .480.

Their last time out, Chicago squared up with the Maple Leafs in an outing where the Blackhawks ended up losing by a final of 5-4. They had 3 power play attempts in this one but didn't put one in the back of the net. The Blackhawks tallied 4 goals of the 35 shots on goal they were seeking.

The Blackhawks have accumulated 45 goals at even strength and 14 goals (20th in the NHL) while on the power play. Chicago has tried 756 shots (28th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 7.80%, while allowing the opposition 838 shots. On the campaign, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 59 goals, 22 points, as well as a points percentage of .407. They have a total of 82 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 17.07%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 79.73% on their opponents 74 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 89.7%. They have permitted 86 goals to be scored by of a combination of 71 goals at even strength and 15 goals while they were shorthanded.

On the other side of the ice you will find Kevin Lankinen protecting the net. Teams are averaging 3.09 goals per contest and he has surrendered 142 goals in total. Lankinen's quality start rate sits at 47.8% and he has 22 quality starts in his career. He was named a starter in 46 contests and has accumulated 2,760 minutes. Lankinen is sitting with a career mark of 19-19-7 and has been in goal for 47 games. He has gathered 1,342 stops out of 1,484 shots taken, which gives him a save % of .904.

Who will win tonight's NHL game ATS?

Guy's Pick: Take Chicago (+130)

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