Kraken vs Blackhawks Picks and Prediction – 12/20/2024

On Thursday, the Seattle Kraken (15-15-2) face off against the Chicago Blackhawks (10-19-2) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Make sure you stay up to date with all the NHL action, with our expert NHL picks.

Chicago comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped three of their last five games prior to their game against Washington. In a decisive 5-3 victory over the New York Islanders, Alex Vlasic made a significant contribution to the Chicago Blackhawks by assisting on two goals. So far this season, rookie sensation Connor Bedard is leading the team in points, having accumulated a remarkable 26 points. Not far behind him is Ryan Donato, who stands as the second-highest scorer for Chicago, having amassed 17 points. Donato has proven to be a crucial player by topping the team's goal-scoring chart with 10 goals to his name. Meanwhile, Bedard leads in playmaking, having delivered 19 assists throughout the season. However, the Blackhawks have had a challenging period recently, conceding an average of 3.4 goals per game over their last five matchups. This performance has placed them in second-to-last place in the Central Division standings. As they gear up to play against the Seattle Kraken at home, Chicago is eager to improve their fortunes and secure a significant victory. Overall, the Blackhawks have been averaging 2.5 goals per game this season.

Seattle enters this game on a one-game losing streak and has dropped three of their last five games prior to their game against Ottawa. In their recent 5-1 defeat against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Brandon Montour was the only player from the Seattle Kraken to find the back of the net. This season, Jared McCann has been the standout performer for Seattle, leading the team with an impressive 26 points. Following closely behind him is Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has accumulated 22 points thus far. Both McCann and Bjorkstrand are tied as the team’s top goal scorers, each having netted 11 goals this season. Chandler Stephenson has been the playmaker for the team, topping the list for assists with 18. Over the past five games, the Kraken have struggled defensively, conceding an average of 3.2 goals per game, which has contributed to them being in third-to-last place in the Pacific Division standings. As they prepare to face the Blackhawks in Chicago, Seattle is eager to end their losing streak. On average, the Kraken manage to score 3 goals per game, indicating a need to bolster their offensive and defensive strategies.

The Seattle Kraken have recently faced challenges in their away games, losing eight out of their last fifteen matches on the road. Similarly, the Chicago Blackhawks are having a tough time defending their home ice, with eight losses in their last thirteen games at home. Both teams are currently dealing with issues on the offensive front, struggling to maintain consistency and score effectively. Final Score Prediction, Seattle Kraken win 3-0.