Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the team here at Last Word on Hockey will dive deep into analysis for any game to give you the scoop on what elements can change the outcome. Today, we’re examining the contest between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Blackhawks. Be sure to keep an eye on our other NHL Predictions as the season presses on.
NHL Predictions
Carolina Hurricanes at Chicago Blackhawks
Time: 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNSO, CHSN, ESPN+
The Carolina Hurricanes are blowing into the Windy City, taking on the Chicago Blackhawks in a cross-conference matchup. It is the first of two team meetings this season, with the second coming next week. Outside of the two points at stake, it will make for a memorable night as long-time Carolina Hurricanes player Teuvo Teräväinen is set to take the ice against the team he spent eight years and over 500 games with.
The Carolina Story
There have been recent ups and downs and everything in between for the Carolina Hurricanes. A season that started with a bang soon fizzled out, leaving frustration and confusion among the fanbase and the locker room. Turnovers, odd-man rushes, penalties, and, even worse, long-term injuries have been a familiar sight for the Canes. However, there seems to be some good news in the injury department. Frederik Andersen appeared on the bench in the Canes’ previous game, serving as the backup to Pyotr Kochetkov.
Their Last Game
In Friday’s game, Pyotr Kochetkov appeared to have been the most consistent player between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights. Early on in the second period, a pass from Dmitry Orlov intended for Jackson Blake landed on the tape of Victor Olofsson, which soon generated an excellently executed goal for the visiting Knights. Nonetheless, the young netminder shut the door on 29 shots throughout the game. Those 29 included a save on a penalty shot from Keegan Kolesar, who drew a slashing penalty from Sean Walker. Of course, that isn’t to say there were still more names and numbers to hit the scoreboard (and two pucks – oops). Midway through the second period, Seth Jarvis came in clutch with a goal during the forecheck, set with helpers from Jaccob Slavin and Jordan Martinook.
As for third-period action, look no further than Andrei Svechnikov, who gave a slick feed to the Rookie Jackson Blake, intending to slip the pass back to Svechnikov, only for it to be disrupted in the best way as former Canes defenceman Noah Hanifin accidentally tipped it in the past his teammate, Adin Hill. With the go-ahead goal, the Canes still weren’t done – specifically, Seth Jarvis, who broke into the offensive zone with Jordan Staal for a give-and-go before finding twine. Even still, the Knights, who lead the league in comeback victories with six notable wins in the third period alone, weren’t ready to give up and go home. With 10:08 left on the clock and a heavy screen during the forecheck, Shea Theodore put the puck to the net to cut the deficit to one. However, despite the Knights’ efforts, the Canes won at Lenovo Centre, sweeping their season series with the Vegas Golden Knights.
Penalty shot?
Penalty not.We love Pyotr Kochetkov’s poke checks and all but saves just don’t get more beautiful than this on Vegas’ Keegan Kolesar!#RaiseUp #VegasBorn #NHL pic.twitter.com/kXTymGrV0A
— Queen of the Puck (@rbarkleyhockey) January 18, 2025
The Chicago Story
In the Chicago Blackhawks’ last game, they played a familiar face to this NHL Prediction, the Vegas Golden Knights. If it couldn’t be more ironic, the Blackhawks also conquered the Knights in regulation. Though the win was sweet, the season itself has been a bitter one, though that was to be expected for the still-rebuilding Chicago team. Before Saturday night’s game, the Blackhawks hadn’t won in over a week, dropping three in a row, followed by an overtime loss to the Nashville Predators.
Their Last Game
When their season series opener with the Vegas Golden Knights began, it seemed as though it would be another of those games. Before the first 10 minutes had ticked away, Victor Olofsson snapped one past Petr Mrázek. However, Blackhawks fans would be pleased to know that there was a rather quick answer to that…three, as a matter of fact, before the first period even finished. In a stunning sequence, Lukas Reichel put a wrister in to even it out. Just 40 seconds later, Teuvo Teräväinen and Seth Jones gave a hand on the power play to Tyler Bertuzzi who tipped in the shot, giving Ilya Samsonov little chance to stop it. The first-frame fun didn’t stop there, either, as Taylor Hall gave the Blackhawks a two-point advantage with just 18 seconds left. The goal was assisted by Pat Maroon and Ryan Donato, with Donato achieving his 100th NHL Career point.
The rest of the game was nothing to sneeze at, though, as Tomas Hertl got back-to-back goals in the second period to tie up the game. However, Seth Jones scored one to give the home team the lead once more. Early in the third period, Bertuzzi got another power play goal, once again assisted by none other than Teräväinen and Jones, giving the game its final score. 5-3 Blackhawks. A fitting way to end a game which celebrated Nick Foligno‘s 1200th game in the NHL. Understandably, the declared first star of the game was Jones, the second was Bertuzzi, and the third was Teräväinen.
that’s Bertuzzi’s second goal on the power play tonight
pic.twitter.com/67nxK1nfgq
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) January 19, 2025
NHL Predictions Featuring the Carolina Hurricanes at the Chicago Blackhawks
The odds do significantly lean in favour of the Carolina Hurricanes for this game. Currently, the Chicago Blackhawks are below the bar in all standard stats, with the exception of special teams. The Blackhawks have a power play percentage of 24.32%, alongside a penalty kill percentage of 82.71%. Nonetheless, the Carolina Hurricanes have significantly struggled recently against statistically deficient teams. Furthermore, the Canes’ own standard season stats do not fully represent their current play over the past couple of months. Additionally, the chances are that Frederik Andersen will take the crease for this game due to the cross-conference matchup against a team which currently sits at the bottom of the league. While Andersen had a fantastic first few games of the season, he has missed a lot of time with injury. His performance in what could be his first game back may not be the most stellar.
The beauty of hockey is the unpredictability of outcomes and the matchups therein. There is a strong likelihood for the Canes to take the metaphorical cake, but there still remains a decent chance that the Blackhawks can turn it around on the Canes and win it themselves.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3
Your Nightly Bets
For the Canes, there are four players to consider for wagers. On the side of goalscoring, the recommendation would be for Seth Jarvis and Andrei Svechnikov. Just this month, Jarvis has scored six goals, leading the team in goals for January. As for Svechnikov, he recently dug himself out of a goal drought, and since, has scored three significant goals. Additionally, keeping an eye out for general point scorers may be beneficial. Currently, Brent Burns sits on the cusp of career 900 points, with 899. This may give a bit of extra motivation to round the number out. Meanwhile, Jaccob Slavin is on a two-game point streak and has consistently found great scoring opportunities. He’s displayed great moments, either by getting the puck to exactly who needs it for a goal or finding the back of the net, himself.
As for the Blackhawks, there are four players for consideration, as well. The two goalscorers to look at would be Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Foligno. Bertuzzi has established himself as a strong net-front presence, often scoring those gritty goals. This is an area that the Canes’ have struggled to defend against a bit in recent memory. Meanwhile, Nick Foligno isn’t afraid to shoot, consistently putting shots on goal throughout the season. Just this month, he boasts a 25.0% shooting percentage. For general points, the main two to look at would be, of course, Connor Bedard and Teuvo Teräväinen. Both have played phenomenally for the Blackhawks this season. However, they aren’t players who could really be pinned comfortably as either getting only a goal or only an assist. Considering them for general points could be a worthwhile choice.
Main photo by: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: January 20 Carolina Hurricanes Vs. Chicago Blackhawks appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.