Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks Updated Odds, Prediction, Preview: Bank on Carolina Offense to Keep Rolling

Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks Odds

The Chicago Blackhawks finally found a way to get into the win column this season after defeating the Ottawa Senators by a score of 5-1 on Monday.

Chicago is now 1-7-2 on the season and will look to piece together a winning streak on Wednesday evening. However, they will now host the Carolina Hurricanes, who are an impressive 8-0 and in first place in the Metropolitan Division.

We saw these two teams go head to head last Friday night, a game that saw the Hurricanes win by a score of 6-3. Will we see a similar style of contest on Wednesday night?

Hurricanes Offense Still Cruising

The Hurricanes are the only remaining undefeated team in the NHL, and when you dive into the stats it is easy to see why.

This team can flat out score the puck. In 5-on-5 situations, Carolina has scored 20 total goals, averages 3.41 goals for per 60 minutes, and 2.83 xGF/60. The Canes rank inside the top three in the league in all of those categories.

They also rank in the top two in goals scored per game with 4.13 and in High-Danger Chances For per 60 minutes with 14.49. They are causing problems for defenses all across the league and should have no problem doing that again in this matchup against Chicago.

The defense has also held up their end of the bargain through eight games. Carolina has not given up more than three goals in any game this season, and has held their opponent to less than two goals in five games so far. They do rank in the bottom half of the league in xGA/60, but their goal scoring ability and consistency more than makes up for it.

Frederik Andersen has been a stud in net for this team this season, and he is likely to get the start in this one. In 5-on-5 situations, Andersen has a SV% of .962 and 11.30 Goals Saved Above Expected. He should put together another solid performance in this one.

Blackhawks Finally Get in the Win Column

The Blackhawks finally managed to put together a solid performance and get their first win of the season earlier this week. Patrick Kane had three goals in the game, a big reason why they were able to blow that contest open.

However, this team still has some glaring issues to deal with, and after already losing once to Carolina this season my confidence is low with this squad.

Chicago may have scored five goals against Ottawa, but that performance has been an outlier through 10 games. They are only scoring 2.2 goals per game, and are 31st in the league in Expected Goals For per 60 minutes with 1.43.

This is also a team that has only scored 11 total goals in 5-on-5 situations this season. The lack of offensive production is concerning, and will likely hinder any chance that Chicago has of keeping this game close.

Their defense and goaltending have also posed major issues early on. Chicago's defense has surrendered 30 goals in 5-on-5 so far, the most in the league.

Marc-Andre Fleury and Kevin Lankinen are the options in net for this game, and both have struggled in 5-on-5 situations. Fleury comes into this matchup with a SV% of .872 and a HDSV% of .706. Lankinen has not been much better, having an SV% of .886 and an HDSV% of .760. Both goalies are also in the bottom three in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected.

Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks  Pick

We've seen Carolina play some incredible hockey so far, and that trend will likely continue in their second battle of the season against Chicago.

The Hurricanes put up four goals in the first period in their matchup last week, and it is entirely possible we see them get off to a quick start again in this one.

The gap between these two teams has been quite large up to this point and Carolina has won by at least two goals in six of their eight games. The odds on the puck line provide good value, even with the Canes on the road.

Pick: Hurricanes -1.5 (+155)