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Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes Picks and Predictions – Thursday January 22, 2026
Chicago heads to Raleigh on Thursday night coming off a 2-0 win over Winnipeg, and the bigger story is how the Blackhawks are being forced to play right now. The scoring has dried up, the margin is thin, and they’re leaning on goaltending plus a conservative game script to survive shifts where nothing happens.
Carolina is the opposite profile. The Hurricanes are riding a three-game win streak, they generate pressure in layers, and they’re comfortable winning games that stay tight early. This sets up as a pace-control battle: Chicago wants the game to feel boring, while Carolina wants to turn sustained zone time into penalties and broken coverage.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes Odds
These are the current lines, and bettors should monitor updated pricing on the latest NHL odds before puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Blackhawks | +350 | +1.5 (+135) | 6.0 (O -115 / U -105) |
| Carolina Hurricanes | -450 | -1.5 (-155) | 6.0 (O -115 / U -105) |
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s recent stretch looks like a team trying to manufacture offense without the support pieces to finish consistently. They’re not getting multiple lines rolling, and when they do create chances, it’s often one-and-done. That makes them vulnerable against a club like Carolina that can keep you defending for long sequences and force tired clears.
The way Chicago stays live is pretty straightforward: keep the neutral zone stacked, limit odd-man rushes, and accept that two goals might be enough if the goalie is sharp. That’s uncomfortable, but it’s also the only path that fits their current scoring profile, especially on the road against a strong possession team. For current trends and recent results, see Chicago Blackhawks stats and results.
Chicago’s lineup and availability matter more than usual because they don’t have much scoring redundancy. Make sure you check the linked Chicago Blackhawks injury report before locking in a side or total.
Carolina Hurricanes Betting Form
Carolina keeps winning because the process is stable. They drive 5-on-5 play, they can roll lines without giving away shifts, and they don’t need perfect finishing to control territory. When the Hurricanes are locked in at home, they force opponents into low-percentage clears and turn that into another wave of pressure.
The rookie goalie story has been a real separator lately. If Brandon Bussi gets the start again, you’re getting a team that can play confidently in front of him, knowing that early mistakes are less likely to turn into soft goals. If Carolina goes another direction in net, that introduces variance, so goalie confirmation is worth treating as market-moving.
The other edge is special teams. Carolina’s ability to turn zone time into power plays is a big deal against a team like Chicago that wants the game to stay even-strength and low event. For deeper team splits and matchup context, use Carolina Hurricanes schedule and stats. And check the linked Carolina Hurricanes injury report for any late changes that affect the top six or defensive pairs.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes Matchup Breakdown
At 5-on-5, the game shape is pretty clear. Chicago wants to slow entries, dump pucks to safe areas, and keep the slot protected. Carolina wants to win the wall, pull defenders out of shape, and get volume from the point with layers in front. If the Hurricanes get their forecheck going early, Chicago will spend a lot of time changing under pressure.
The power play and penalty kill battle matters here because Chicago’s best chance to stay within a goal is to keep the whistle quiet. Carolina is comfortable winning a 2-1 type game, but they’re also the side more likely to convert a single special-teams swing into a two-goal margin.
Goaltending is the variable you don’t want to guess on. Chicago just got a shutout from Spencer Knight, and if he starts again, it supports the under and supports Chicago +1.5 staying live longer. If Chicago goes to a different look, Carolina’s team-total upside increases. On the Carolina side, if Bussi starts, it raises the floor of their defensive profile even further in a matchup where Chicago already struggles to finish.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Carolina Hurricanes Predictions and Best Bets
Carolina is priced like the better team, and that’s accurate. The problem is the moneyline is too expensive to be the main play unless you’re building parlays. The puck line is playable, but you’re laying a number against a Chicago team that is clearly trying to survive by dragging games into low-scoring territory.
That’s why I’m more interested in the total. Chicago is being coached to accept low-event hockey, and Carolina can win without turning this into a track meet. Even if Carolina controls the game, it can look like 2-0, 2-1, 3-1 for a long time, especially if the Blackhawks commit to protecting the middle and living with harmless shots.
If you want a side lean, it’s Carolina to win, but I’d rather attack the game script than pay the tax on the favorite.
Best Bet: Under 6.0 (-105)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing multiple games on the slate, use the NHL picks page to compare where the market is shading favorites and totals, especially on nights where goalie news can flip value quickly.
For bettors who want performance-based signals, the best handicappers hub and the handicappers leaderboard help you track who’s actually delivering results over time. If you’re looking for premium plays or stronger positions, you can browse options on buy picks and keep up with daily game context through the NHL previews hub. For sharper framework around totals, puck lines, and market movement, the NHL betting guide and the Stanley Cup betting guide are solid references as the season tightens.
