In this article we will formulate a Utah Hockey Club vs Chicago Blackhawks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, October 8th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Utah Hockey Club Betting Preview
The Utah Hockey Club will start its first season in the NHL after moving from Arizona last season, where they went 36-41-5 and finished with 77 points in the regular season, which was seventh in the Central Division. Arizona had trouble pretty much all season last year, but they did finish strong, as they won 13 of their last 23 games. Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka will be the goaltending duo to start the season, but Ingram should be the starter, as he was very good last season. Clayton Keller led the way last year with 33 goals, 43 assists, and 228 shots on goal.
Utah went 5-2 in the preseason this year, with wins over St. Louis, Los Angeles, Colorado, San Jose, and Colorado again. The Hockey Club did pick up two losses against Vegas and Anaheim, where they allowed five goals in each game.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks were 23-53-6 last year and they finished the regular season with 52 points, which was eighth in the Central Division. Chicago really struggled to score goals last season, as they were dead last in goals scored and 29th in goals against. The Blackhawks really gave up towards the end of last season, as they lost their last six games and scored two goals or fewer in five of them. Chicago should have Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom in net this year once again, after Mrazek was very solid last season.
Chicago went 1-5 in the preseason this year, with their lone win coming in their last game against St. Louis by a score of 6-2. The Blackhawks picked up losses against Detroit (twice), St. Louis, and Minnesota (twice), as they scored two goals or fewer in all five losses.
Why the Hockey Club will beat the Blackhawks
- The Blackhawks have lost 15 of their last 16 road games against Central Division opponents.
- The favorites have won each of the Blackhawks’ last six games.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in five of the Blackhawks’ last six games.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six road games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Blackhawks have lost the first period in seven of their last eight night games against Central Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Ten of the Blackhawks’ last 13 games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in eight of the Blackhawks’ last nine games against Central Division opponents.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Tyler Bertuzzi has scored at least one goal in each of his last three appearances against Western Conference opponents.
- Connor Bedard has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blackhawks’ last six Tuesday games.
- Philipp Kurashev has recorded at least one point in each of the Blackhawks’ last seven Tuesday games.
Utah Hockey Club vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction
Utah comes into this game looking to get a win in their first regular season game in the NHL, and they will host one of the worst teams in the NHL. Utah should have a great environment for their first home game and they have plenty of talent on that roster. Chicago has some interesting pieces like Connor Bedard and Taylor Hall, but I just don’t think they are going to solve their scoring issues from last season, especially on the road. I like Utah to come out strong in the opener and I am taking them to win by at least two goals.