The Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks meet Wednesday in NHL action at the Honda Center. The Chicago Blackhawks look to snap a three-game losing streak. The Anaheim Ducks look to snap a seven-game losing streak.
The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring on 20.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex DeBrincat leads Chicago with 34 goals, Patrick Kane has 52 assists and Seth Jones has 146 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 76.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Marc-Andre Fleury has given up 129 goals on 1,398 shots faced, and Kevin Lankinen has allowed 57 goals on 512 shots.
The Anaheim Ducks are averaging 2.8 goals per game and are scoring on 24 percent of their power play opportunities. Troy Terry leads Anaheim with 30 goals, Trevor Zegras has 30 assists and Rickard Rakell has 136 shots on goal. Defensively, the Anaheim Ducks are allowing 3.1 goals per game and are killing 82.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. John Gibson has given up 138 goals on 1,447 shots faced, and Anthony Stolarz has allowed 50 goals on 614 shots.
The Blackhawks are 4-1 in their last 5 Wednesday games and 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Ducks are 2-5 in their last 7 home games and 0-7 in their last 7 overall. The over is 7-2 in Blackhawks last 9 overall. The over is 8-3 in Ducks last 11 vs. Western Conference. The Blackhawks are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings. The home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
I don’t want to back the Chicago Blackhawks, especially on the road, as much as the next guy, but we’re getting even money with them to fade a Ducks team that’s lost seven straight games. The Anaheim Ducks shouldn’t be favorites regardless of opponent given their current form. Two teams going nowhere fast, but give me the Blackhawks and the more favorable price if forced to pick.