Blackhawks vs Kings Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Chicago Not Quick Enough

The Pacific Division’s Los Angeles Kings host the Central Division’s Chicago Blackhawks in NHL betting action Thursday night. These two teams squared off a week ago with Chicago grabbing a 2-1 victory on home ice.

Will the Blackhawks take care of business once again, or can the Kings grab a victory at home? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Blackhawks vs. Kings on November 10.

Blackhawks vs Kings best odds

Blackhawks vs Kings picks and predictions

These two teams have been involved in lower-scoring contests recently, as there have been six or fewer total goals scored in each of Chicago’s last three games and in four of Los Angeles’ last six. These trends should continue in this matchup — a game that likely will look like last week’s 2-1 contest.

To be as blunt as possible, the Blackhawks’ offense is terrible. Their roster is constructed like that of a tanking organization — precisely what they’re attempting in an effort to get Connor Bedard in next year’s draft.

That’s the reason they traded every valuable offensive piece over the offseason outside of Patrick Kane, who is likely to get dealt prior to this season’s trade deadline. The ramifications of these actions have been felt in full offensively, as the Hawks rank 30th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5v5.

They’ve now scored two or fewer goals in three straight games, a trend that is likely to continue, as goaltender Jonathan Quick is projected to take the crease for the Kings. While it has not been the strongest start to the season for the Los Angeles netminder, he has started to turn it around recently.

Over his last four starts, Quick is 3-0-1 with a .934 SV% and 1.74 GAA. This strong play should continue against Chicago, a team he typically dominates.

Across his last 10 starts against the Hawks, Quick is 7-1-2 with a .925 SV% and 1.88 GAA. In front of Quick is a capable defense that ranks ninth in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5v5.

Neither of these clubs play at an exceptionally high pace, and a slow start should be in order once again, especially considering how bad Chicago is offensively and Quick’s recent form between the pipes.

My best bet: first period Under 1.5 (+120 at DraftKings)

Blackhawks vs Kings moneyline analysis

I would lean towards the Kings in this matchup, although the juice is not worth the squeeze at –265. This game should be low-scoring, which typically favors underdog teams, as games turn more into a coin flip when there are fewer goals to come by.

For bettors who do not mind laying a lot of juice, then –265 on the moneyline would be the play. There is minimal value in taking the Kings –1.5 at –110, a line they have failed to cover in each of their last four games.

While Chicago is not good, it has developed a stingy defensive system under new head coach Luke Richardson. The Hawks rank 12th in the league in GA/60, a ranking that is certainly not due to the goaltending.

Blackhawks vs Kings Over/Under analysis

The full game Under would be just as strong of a play as the 1P Under for those who would rather go that route, although I am simply taking the 1P instead because of the trends. There have been one or fewer 1P goals scored in each of Chicago’s last three games and in each of Los Angeles’ last six. 

The Kings particularly tend to start games slow, and that is an easy trap to fall into against a sluggish Blackhawks lineup. This is exactly what happened the first time these two teams squared off this season as the first goal was not scored until there was roughly seven minutes left in the second period.

In fact, the 1P Under has hit in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two teams. With Quick starting to turn his season around and Chicago’s terrible offense, this game is likely to start slow once again.

Blackhawks vs Kings betting trend to know

The 1P Under has hit in each of Los Angeles’ last six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Blackhawks vs Kings.

Blackhawks vs Kings game info

Blackhawks vs Kings key injuries

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