The Carolina Hurricanes (51-22-7) and Chicago Blackhawks (23-51-5) meet Sunday at United Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM GF4GsL9TIpan0trlDUKBOok’s lines around the Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Hurricanes lead 1-0; Carolina doubled up Chicago 6-3 at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Feb. 19, cashing as a heavy favorite (-380) while covering the puck line (-1.5, -148) as the Over (6) cashed
The Hurricanes are 3 points back of the New York Rangers for the Metropolitan Division lead with 2 games remaining. Carolina has a game in hand on New York, as the Rangers wrap up their regular season Monday against the Ottawa Senators.
Carolina has kept the pressure on the Rangers, winning 4 in a row, outscoring the opposition 16-5. The Under is 7-1-1 in the past 9 Games, and 9-2-1 across the previous 12 outings.
The Blackhawks were roughed up 5-1 on home ice against the Nashville Predators on Friday as the Under (6.5) cashed. Chicago has averaged just 2.0 goals per game (GPG) in the past 10 outings, and the Under is 8-2 in the 10-game span dating back to March 21.
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Hurricanes at Blackhawks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:56 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Blues +290 (bet $100 to win $290)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (-140) | Blackhawks +1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
Hurricanes at Blackhawks projected goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov (22-13-4, 2.34 GAA, .911 SV%, 4 SO) vs. Petr Mrazek (18-29-4, 3.07 GAA, .906 SV%, 1 SO)
Kochetkov allowed just a single goal on 23 shots in the 4-1 win in Boston against the Bruins on Tuesday. He has won 3 straight starts, going 3-0-0 with a 1.01 GAA and .954 SV% during the span.
Mrazek was peppered for 3 goals on 3 shots in St. Louis Wednesday, and he was given the quick hook after just 4:37 of ice time. It was a rare poor start, as he had allowed a total of just 7 goals in his previous 4 outings.
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Hurricanes at Blackhawks picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 5, Blackhawks 2
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-375) will be playing with immediacy, as Carolina continues to vie for a division championship. Carolina is on the road and that’s always a risky proposition. In addition, laying nearly 4 times your potential return comes with very little reward.
PASS, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The HURRICANES -1.5 (-140) aren’t priced out of line if you want to play the puck line. Carolina has won 4 in a row, covering as a favorite in each of the outings. In fact, the Canes are 6-1 in the past 7 games on the puck line when favored. So, if you like Carolina, you should like it to cash on the puck line, too.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-120) is a strong play. Carolina will have the pedal to the metal, looking to keep its faint division title hopes alive. Chicago is likely to offer very little in the way of resistance.
The Over is a rarity for the Canes lately, with the Under cashing at a 7-1-1 clip in the past 9 games. But the Over did cash last time out in St. Louis, and Carolina has the potential to take care of the Over all on its own.
The windows are open, North Carolina!
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