Predators vs Blackhawks NHL Picks Tonight 3/16

Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Nashville Predators look to extend their three-game win streak as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight in a Central Division showdown. Get your NHL picks for today's matchup as the Predators hope to further cement their position in the division. Be sure to download the Kingpin.pro iOS and Android app for all your NHL picks free, including NHL picks covers, NHL picks over under, and NHL picks parlays.

Nashville Predators

The Predators (34-24-7) are currently fifth in the Central Division, boasting a 7-9-3 record against division opponents. Their recent form has been impressive, winning seven of their last ten games. With Matt Duchene and Thomas Novak leading the charge, the team has thrived in games where they score at least one power-play goal, going 16-5-3 in such matches.

Nashville's offense has been clicking, with Duchene racking up 19 goals and 32 assists this season. Novak has been especially hot as of late, tallying six goals and five assists over the past ten games. The Predators' success can also be attributed to their strong defense and goaltending, which has allowed just two goals per game during their recent ten-game stretch.

Chicago Blackhawks

On the other hand, the Blackhawks (22-38-6) are struggling at the bottom of the division, with a 5-13-1 record against Central Division foes. Chicago has had a rough time recently, winning only three of their last ten games. Led by Taylor Raddysh and Seth Jones, the team has found success when scoring three or more goals, going 20-8-3 in those games.

Raddysh has been a bright spot for the Blackhawks, accumulating 17 goals and 13 assists this season. Meanwhile, Jones has contributed four goals and one assist over the last ten games. Unfortunately, the team's defensive struggles and inconsistent goaltending have resulted in them giving up 2.9 goals per game in their recent ten-game stretch.

Injuries

Predators: Mark Borowiecki (upper body), Juuso Parssinen (upper body), Filip Forsberg (upper body), Alexandre Carrier (upper body), Ryan McDonagh (upper body), and Ryan Johansen (leg) are all out or day-to-day.

Blackhawks: Colin Blackwell (groin), Petr Mrazek (undisclosed), Jonathan Toews (illness), Reese Johnson (concussion), Anders Bjork (undisclosed), Andreas Englund (hamstring), Cole Guttman (shoulder), and Austin Wagner (undisclosed) are all out or day-to-day.

Key Matchups

The power play battle will be crucial in this matchup. The Predators have excelled when converting on the man advantage, while the Blackhawks have struggled defensively in those situations. Nashville will look to exploit this weakness and maintain their recent offensive success.

Another crucial aspect of the game will be goaltending. The Predators have been strong between the pipes, while the Blackhawks have been inconsistent. If Chicago's goaltending can step up and match Nashville's performance, they may have a chance to steal a win in this matchup.

Lastly, the performance of key players on both sides will play a significant role in determining the outcome of the game. For the Predators, Duchene and Novak's offensive prowess will be essential in maintaining their winning streak, while Raddysh and Jones will need to step up for the Blackhawks to have a chance at victory.

Prediction

Considering the Predators' recent form, their power-play proficiency, and the Blackhawks' struggles, Nashville appears to be the favorite in this matchup. Expect the Predators to capitalize on their power-play opportunities and continue their winning streak.

Pick: Nashville Predators