Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild Prediction, 12/16/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Minnesota Wild

Date: Friday, December 16, 2022

Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN

TV: Bally Sports North

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+260) Wild (-330)

Xcel Energy Center is where the Minnesota Wild (16-11-2) will try to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks (7-16-4) on Friday. The moneyline on this game has the Blackhawks at +260 and the Wild are coming in at -330. The over/under is set at 6.

The Chicago Blackhawks had a rough game after their 7-3 loss to the Capitals in the last game they played. Chicago accrued 2 minutes in the box for this matchup. The Blackhawks had an average offensive outing in the defeat. In addition, they had 3 chances with the advantage and were able to net 1 goal. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 3 out of the 29 shots they tried.

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When playing at even strength, the Blackhawks have conceded 75 goals while earning 45 on the offensive side of the ice. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have recorded 90 power play tries (26th in professional hockey) and have notched 24 goals in those attempts. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Chicago Blackhawks have racked up 65 goals (32nd in hockey) this year and have conceded 99. Chicago has taken 695 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.4%. For the current campaign, they have earned 18 points and their points percentage comes in at .333. The Blackhawks so far have had 929 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .893. Chicago comes into tonight with 84 power play opportunities and they have notched 20 goals during those advantages, giving them a rate of 23.81%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Petr Mrazek. Over the course of his career, Mrazek is sitting with 140 quality starts and his quality starts rate is .504. He has a save percentage of .908 during his 17,053 mins in the crease. Mrazek has had 8,323 shots taken against him and has gathered 7,556 total saves. Opponents have been able to score 767 goals versus Mrazek in his career and his goals against average is 2.70. He has compiled an overall record of 142-108-32 and he has started in 278 games. Mrazek has been involved in 305 matchups over the course of his hockey career.

Their last time out, Minnesota went up against the Red Wings in a matchup where the Wild notched a victory by a final of 4-1. The Wild recorded 4 goals out of the 22 shots on goal they were seeking. They had 4 chances on the power play in this outing and scored 1 out of those chances.

Minnesota has put up 915 shots (18th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 9.73%, while allowing the other team 853 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 79.59% on their opponents 98 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 90.0%. They have a tally of 96 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 25.00%. The Wild have tallied 65 goals at even strength and 24 goals (11th in the league) while on the power play. They have permitted 85 goals to be scored by of a combination of 65 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the year, the Minnesota Wild have a total of 89 goals, 34 points, as well as a points percentage of .586.

Across the ice you are expected to see Marc-Andre Fleury patrolling the crease. Fleury has compiled a career record of 530-306-88 and has been in goal for 958 contests. Fleury's rate of quality starts sits at 54.7% and he has 439 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He has recorded 24,876 saves out of the 27,260 shots attempted, giving him a rate of .913. Teams are averaging 2.58 goals per contest and he has relinquished 2,384 goals overall. He has started in 802 games and his ice time sits at 55,492 minutes.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago (+260)

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