San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks: NHL Preview, Odds & Prediction, February 25, 2023

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks will visit the San Jose Sharks at the SAP Center on February 25, 2023, in what should be an exciting matchup between two struggling teams. The Blackhawks will be looking to extend their four-game win streak, while the Sharks will be aiming to bounce back from their recent losses and secure a win at home.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been in a slump lately, losing their last three games and struggling to find form on the road. With a poor 6-16-2 record away from home, they currently rank 8th in the Central division with an overall record of 16-32-5. It's been a season to forget for the Blackhawks, with their offense struggling immensely and averaging only 2.40 goals per game. In fact, they've managed to score just three goals in their last three games, which is a huge cause for concern.

Despite their offensive struggles, there have been some standout performers on this Blackhawks team. Patrick Kane, in particular, has been a bright spot with nine goals and 26 assists on the season. The star forward is still playing at an elite level, but he hasn't been able to lift his team out of their slump on his own.

One player who has been struggling to find his form recently is Max Domi. The forward has managed just one goal and five assists over the last 10 games, which is a disappointing return for a player who was expected to be a key contributor for the Blackhawks this season.

Looking at the Blackhawks' recent form, they've won just three of their last ten games and have been averaging 2.5 goals and 4.3 assists per game. However, they've also been taking a lot of penalties, averaging 3.5 penalties and 10.5 penalty minutes per game. On the defensive side, they've been giving up an average of 3.5 goals per game over this stretch, which is a worrying sign for a team that is already struggling to score.

INJURIES: To make matters worse, the Blackhawks have been dealing with a number of injuries. Jujhar Khaira is out with a back injury, MacKenzie Entwistle is day to day with an undisclosed issue, Jonathan Toews is still out due to an illness, Alex Stalock is out with a concussion, and Jarred Tinordi is out with a knee injury. With so many key players out of action, it's going to be a tough road ahead for the Blackhawks.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks have had a disappointing season so far, currently sitting in seventh place in the Pacific Division with a record of 18-29-11. They have struggled at home this season, with a record of 6-15-7, which is the worst home record in the league. Despite their struggles, the Sharks have had some standout performers this season, most notably Erik Karlsson, who has recorded 18 goals and 58 assists so far this season.

Logan Couture has also been in good form lately, scoring three goals and adding eight assists over the past ten games. However, the Sharks' defense has been subpar this season, allowing an average of 3.4 goals per game, which is the fifth-worst record in the league. The Sharks will need to improve defensively if they want to compete with the Blackhawks in this matchup.

The Sharks have gone 9-12-4 in games where they have more penalties than their opponent, which suggests that they are more effective when playing aggressively. However, the team will need to be disciplined in this game to avoid giving the Blackhawks too many scoring opportunities.

INJURIES: Joel Kiviranta: out (lower body).

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games.

Chicago are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games.

Chicago are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games against San Jose.

Chicago are 5-11 SU in their last 16 games on the road.

Chicago are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing on the road against San Jose.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Jose's last 7 games.

San Jose are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games.

The total has gone OVER in 9 of San Jose's last 13 games against Chicago.

San Jose are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games at home.

Prediction

Despite their struggles this season, the Chicago Blackhawks are the favorites to win this matchup against the San Jose Sharks. The team has been in good form lately, winning their last four games, and they have already beaten the Sharks at San Jose earlier this season.

The Sharks have struggled at home this season, which is a significant disadvantage in this matchup. Furthermore, their defense has been subpar, which could be their undoing against the Blackhawks' dynamic offense. The Blackhawks' solid offensive performances in recent games, combined with their recent defensive improvements, make them a tough team to beat in this matchup.

In conclusion, the Chicago Blackhawks should be able to continue their winning streak with a victory against the San Jose Sharks. While the Sharks have some talented players, their home struggles and defensive issues could prevent them from securing a win in this game. The Blackhawks' recent form, coupled with their previous success against the Sharks, makes them the more likely team to emerge victorious in this matchup.

PICK: Blackhawks ML (+170)

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