Arizona Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 1/6/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Arizona Coyotes vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Friday, January 6, 2023

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: NBC Sports Chicago

Odds/Point Spread: Coyotes (+118) Blackhawks (-142)

The Arizona Coyotes (13-18-5) are traveling to United Center on Friday where they will play the Chicago Blackhawks (8-25-4). The moneyline on this contest has Arizona at +118 and Chicago is opening at -142. The over/under comes in at 6.

The Arizona Coyotes will need a bounce back game after taking a 5-3 defeat to the Panthers their last time on the ice. Arizona amassed 6 penalty minutes in this game. They also had 2 chances with extra men on the ice and scored 1 goal. The Coyotes had an average offensive output in this loss. For the outing, they netted 3 out of the 36 shots they attempted.

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When playing at even strength, the Coyotes have allowed the opponent to score 93 goals while notching 79 of their own. Arizona Coyotes opponents have 140 power play opportunities (6th in the league) and have a total of 38 goals in those chances. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Arizona Coyotes have racked up 104 goals (26th in the NHL) on the campaign and have given up 131. Arizona has taken 904 shots and has a shot percentage of 11.5%. For the current campaign, they have earned 31 points and their points percentage comes in at .431. The Coyotes thus far have had 1,247 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .895. Arizona steps onto the ice with 119 power play opportunities and they have added 25 goals out of those chances, garnering them a rate of 21.01%.

The man protecting the net in this game is Karel Vejmelka. Vejmelka has been involved in 79 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has compiled a mark of 24-43-7 and he was named the starter in 75 games. Opponents have been able to score 257 goals versus Vejmelka in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 3.51. Vejmelka has seen 2,592 shot attempts against him and has recorded 2,335 saves. His save percentage sits at .901 for his 4,387 mins in the crease. During his career on the ice, Vejmelka has earned 35 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .467.

In their last game, Chicago squared up with the Lightning in a matchup where the Blackhawks took the defeat by a final score of 4-1. They had 5 power play opportunities in this matchup and recorded 1 out of those attempts. The Blackhawks tallied 1 goal of the 26 shots on goal they pursued.

The Blackhawks have scored 56 goals at even strength and 24 goals (25th in the league) while having a power play advantage. Chicago has attempted 979 shots (31st in hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 8.17%, while allowing the opposition 1,241 shots. On the season, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned 80 goals, 20 points, in addition to a points percentage of .270. They have allowed 139 goals to be scored by of a combination of 108 goals at even strength and 31 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 119 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play rate of 20.17%. They have a penalty kill rate of 73.28% on their opponents 116 power play opportunities, and their save percentage comes in at 88.8%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Petr Mrazek protecting the net. He has accrued 7,676 stops out of the 8,458 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .908. Mrazek has accrued a career record of 142-112-32 and has been in net for 309 contests. He has made the start in 282 contests and has played for a total of 17,291 mins. Mrazek's quality start rate comes out to 50.0% and he has 141 quality starting assignments in his hockey career. His opponents are averaging 2.71 goals per game and he has given up 782 goals overall.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Arizona (+118)

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