Predators Welcome Hawks In Central Clash
Shea Weber and the Nashville Predators will look to upset the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
In a battle of the Central Division’s top sides, the Nashville Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Opening faceoff at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Through the early part of the season, Nashville (4-0-2, 10pts) has emerged as a surprise package. Heading into Thursday’s game, the Predators are one of only two teams without a regulation loss. They’ll meet the other on Thursday.
Bookmakers have paid attention. After opening the season with 100/1 odds of winning the Stanley Cup, the Predators are now considered 40/1. Peter Laviolette will hope his team can continue to defy expectations.
Chicago (4-0-1, 9pts) is no stranger to success and it comes as no surprise that the Blackhawks are early contenders.
Once again it’s defense that is propelling Joel Quenneville’s side forward. The Blackhawks allow just 1.4 games per game and have yielded no more than two goals in any one game this season. The offense has held its own too, averaging three goals per game to sit in the top third of the league.
The Blackhawks will look to unveil the Predators as pretenders on Thursday and hand the side a first regulation loss. The Predators meanwhile will look to upset the Stanley Cup favorites and continue this impressive start to the campaign.
Head-to-Head
The two sides met in Chicago this past Saturday, with the Blackhawks emerging victorious thanks to a shorthanded Jonathan Toews goal at the 3:26 mark of overtime.
Prior to that game, the Predators had won three straight and four of the last five head-to-head meetings.
Chicago went 1-2 at Bridgestone Arena a season ago.
Chicago is 46-34-4-8 all-time against Nashville.
Impact Players
Centers Mike Ribeiro (3 goals, 2 assists, 5pts) and Filip Forsberg (1 goal, 4 assists, 5pts) have been the early leaders for Nashville. Five other players have recorded four points through the first six games, including defenseman Shea Weber (3 goals, 1 assist, 4pts).
Goaltender Pekka Rinne (4-0-1, 1.55GAA) has had a solid start for the Predators, but it was Carter Hutton (0-0-1, 1.89GAA) that was between the pipes when the two sides met on Saturday.
Chicago has been paced by Patrick Sharp (2 goals, 4 assists, 6pts), while Patrick Kane (3 goals, 2 assists, 5pts), Jonathan Toews (1 goal, 4 assists, 5pts) and Brando Saad (1 goal, 4 assists, 5pts) are all sitting pretty with five points through five games.
Injury Report
Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford (upper body) is expected to miss a second straight game. Antti Raanta (1-0, 0.00 GAA) will deputize in net. He earned a shutout in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Nashville is without the tandem of Matt Cullen (upper body) and Mike Fisher (Achilles). Both forwards are out indefinitely.
Corey Crawford (upper body) is expected to miss Thursday’s game.
Betting Report
Below you’ll find Betting Sports’ breakdown of odds and betting trends.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators odds for 10/20/2014
Despite playing on the road, Chicago (-130) opened as the favorite over Nashville (+118) on the moneyline.
The Blackhawks have won eight of the last 12 head-to-head meetings, including four of the last six played in Tennessee.
The total opened at 5.5 and has slipped to 5 with some sportsbooks.
Both Nashville (1-5-0 O/U) and Chicago (1-4-0 O/U) have heavily favored the under. The total went under when these two sides met on Saturday.
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