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The Nashville Predators return from a 20 day Olympic hiatus on Thursday night, hosting a Central Division rival they have absolutely owned in recent years. Nashville currently sits 10th in the Western Conference with a 26-24-7 record and is desperate to snap a two game slide that occurred right before the break. Bridgestone Arena should be rocking for this 8:00 PM puck drop on ESPN+ as the Predators look to continue their historical dominance over a Chicago team that has managed only three wins in their last 25 meetings with Nashville.
Chicago enters this contest at 22-26-9, ranking 12th in the West and fading quickly from any realistic playoff conversation. The Blackhawks lost six of their last seven games before the break, including a demoralizing 4-0 shutout loss to Columbus. While the Predators are fighting for their postseason lives, the Blackhawks are mostly playing for pride and a chance to avoid the conference basement. Nashville is currently priced as a -174 home favorite, reflecting both the talent gap and the lopsided nature of this rivalry.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Odds
Bettors should keep a close eye on the latest NHL odds as the market reacts to goalie confirmations following the long layoff. The current lines suggest Nashville is the clear side, but the total is sitting at a relatively low 5.5.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +146 | +1.5 (-165) | O 5.5 (-122) |
| Nashville Predators | -174 | -1.5 (+135) | U 5.5 (+102) |
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s offense has been non-existent lately, which is perhaps the most frustrating part for bettors backing them. They have failed to score more than two goals in 10 of their last 14 games. Even with a generational talent like Connor Bedard leading the way with 53 points, the secondary scoring just isn’t there. Tyler Bertuzzi has chipped in 25 goals, but beyond that, the roster is thin. The Blackhawks are 17-23 as an underdog this season, and while they are a respectable 22-18 on the puck line in that role, their inability to generate high-danger chances at five-on-five makes them a tough team to trust on the road.
The defensive unit is also severely depleted right now. According to the Chicago Blackhawks injury report, veteran blue-liners Ryan Ellis and Shea Weber remain out, along with Wyatt Kaiser. This puts a massive burden on a young defensive rotation that was already giving up too many shots before the break. If you look at the Chicago Blackhawks stats and results, you will see a team that struggles mightily in divisional road games, particularly when they fall behind early and have to chase the game.
Nashville Predators Betting Form
Nashville is a team that relies on its veteran core to drive the bus. Steven Stamkos has found his rhythm again, putting up six points in his last four games, and he has a career-long habit of torching Chicago. With 40 points in 35 career games against the Hawks, Stamkos is a major threat on a power play that currently ranks 10th in the NHL. Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg continue to provide elite production from the top of the lineup, ensuring that Nashville remains a high-volume shooting team that ranks 12th in the league in shots on goal.
The Predators are 8-5 when playing as a favorite this season, showing they generally take care of business when they have the talent advantage. The only major concern in the Nashville Predators injury report is Nicolas Hague, but the rest of the defensive corps is rested and healthy. Andrew Brunette has emphasized the need for a fast start coming off the Olympic break, and playing at home where they have a distinct atmospheric edge should help. For a better idea of how they perform in this building, you can browse the Nashville Predators schedule and stats before checking the player prop markets.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is largely defined by Nashville’s ability to exploit a weakened Chicago defense. The Predators have been effective on the man advantage this season, and Chicago’s penchant for taking penalties could be their undoing. If you are looking for an NHL betting guide to help parse through these divisional trends, remember that rest usually benefits the more experienced team. Nashville’s veteran leaders like Stamkos and Josi are much better equipped to handle a 20 day layoff than the younger Blackhawks roster.
The goaltending battle also leans toward the home side. While Chicago has relied on Spencer Knight to keep them in games, the Predators have a more cohesive defensive structure that limits high-danger chances. Nashville has gone over the total in seven of their last ten games, mostly because their offense creates so many opportunities. However, given Chicago’s scoring drought, this game could easily stay under the 5.5 line if Nashville doesn’t do all the heavy lifting themselves. Those interested in Stanley Cup betting might see Nashville as a sleeper if they can string together a few wins here in late February.
- Nashville has won 20 of the last 25 meetings against Chicago.
- Chicago has scored two goals or fewer in 10 of their last 14 games.
- Steven Stamkos has 40 points in 35 career games against the Blackhawks.
- The Predators rank 10th in the league in power play goals.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Predictions and Best Bets
I think the price on Nashville at -174 is actually a bit generous considering how much they have dominated this rivalry. Chicago simply doesn’t have the offensive firepower to keep up if Nashville gets to three goals. I expect Bedard to be shadowed heavily all night, and without any secondary scoring threats, the Blackhawks will likely struggle to find the net. Perhaps the 20 day break helped Chicago reset, but the talent disparity on the blue line is too large to ignore.
Regarding the total, the under 5.5 at +102 is the play for me. My model projects a 3-2 win for Nashville, which is tight, but Chicago’s recent form suggests they might only contribute one goal to that total. I think Nashville wins this comfortably, but they may not need to put up five or six goals to do it. The value is on the home moneyline or the under, but I’ll stick with the straight-up win for the Preds.
Best Bet: Nashville Predators moneyline (-174).
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NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
The post-Olympic schedule is always a volatile time for bettors, which is why following today’s NHL picks is a smart move. Our experts at ScoresAndStats are constantly monitoring lineup shifts and travel schedules to find the best value on the board. You can see who is currently hot by checking the handicapper leaderboard and following those with a proven track record in the Central Division.
If you are looking for consistent profit, it helps to follow our top sports handicappers who specialize in high-volume markets. Whether you want to buy expert picks or just stay updated with the latest NHL game previews, we have the data you need to stay ahead of the books.
