The Carolina Hurricanes (23-7-3) continue their push for the top spot in the Central Division in a road game against the Chicago Blackhawks (16-15-5) on Tuesday.
Goals seem to be on the menu here as there have been at least seven goals in all three previous meetings between the two teams this season. Bookmaker Bovada had the odds at +120 for the trend to continue.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 29th, 3:00 P.M. (EST)
The Hurricanes are streaking with three straight wins ahead of their visit to the United Center. Rod Brind’Amour’s team has been in excellent form since the end of last month going 11-1-2 across the past 14 games.
It’s been a very impressive run by Carolina as the team has actually struggled with injuries – goaltender Petr Mrazek hasn’t played since Jan. 30 and forwards Vincent Trocheck and Teuvo Teravainen have missed most of March.
Despite the absentees, the Hurricanes boast the sixth-best offense in the league with a 3.27 goals-for average, and they are tied for the seventh-best defensive record by allowing 2.52 goals per game.
The Blackhawks have a decent scoring record as well with a 2.83 goals-for average, but the team has struggled to keep the puck out of their own net. Chicago allows the most shots per game in the league with 34.1, and they are among 10 teams that are allowing at least three goals a night (3.11) this season.
Longtime starting goaltender Corey Crawford left the team during the offseason and veteran blueliner Brent Seabrook was forced to retire due to injuries, which has left Chicago with big gaps to fill. With Kevin Lankinen impressing during his rookie campaign, the team seems to have found a reliable goalie but there’s still plenty of work do to at the defensive end.
Last week, Lankinen became the first rookie netminder in franchise history to post a 40-save shutout, and he carries a 12-8-4 record for the season with a 2.72 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
Kirby Dach is another youngster who’s looking to impress and play his part in the franchise’s rise from the ashes. The third pick of the 2019 NHL Draft has just made his season debut after fracturing his wrist In December.
The Hawks are hoping that the 20-year-old will be a long-term replacement for captain Jonathan Toews, who hasn’t played at all this season due to an unspecified medical issue.
Winds of change are blowing in the Windy City as Seabrook, Crawford and Toews all played a huge part in Chicago’s three Stanley Cup wins from 2010 to 2015. They are still far from becoming contenders again, but head coach Jeremy Colliton has formed a competitive lineup that can match anybody on their day.
