Anaheim Ducks vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions November 3rd 2024

Looking to win big? The Blackhawks and Ducks face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Ducks are hosting the game at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The odds for this Western conference game currently have the Ducks as the -1.5 goal favorite with the over/under line sitting at 6 goals.

Chicago vs. Anaheim Key Information

• Teams: Blackhawks at Ducks
• Where: Honda Center Anaheim
• Date: Sunday, November 3rd
• Betting Odds ANA -130 | CHI +109 O/U 6

The Blackhawks Can Win If…

Chicago improved to 4-7-1 with a 4-3 shootout win over the Kings. The Blackhawks trailed 2-0 going into the third period before mounting their comeback. As underdogs, Chicago covered the puck line, and the total of 7 goals surpassed the pre-game line of 6.

Three different players scored for the Blackhawks in regulation. Nick Foligno started the rally with a goal at 16:34 in the third period. In the shootout, Chicago outscored the Kings 3-2 to secure the win.

Chicago’s offense was held scoreless until the third period, when Nick Foligno netted his fourth goal of the season. Craig Smith followed with his fourth, and Tyler Bertuzzi tied the game with just 31 seconds left, also scoring his fourth of the year.

The Blackhawks fired 21 shots on goal and recorded 12 giveaways. They added three goals in the shootout, ultimately winning 4-3.

Defensively, the Blackhawks will look to improve after allowing the first goal just 3:57 into the first period and another at 1:23 in the second. They also gave up a late goal at 11:48 in the third. Petr Mrazek made 37 saves with a 92.5% save percentage, helping Chicago secure the win in a shootout.

• Chicago has put together a record of 2-1 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 2-1 in those same games.
• Across Chicago’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 4-3-3 on the over-under.

The Ducks Can Win If…

With a 2-1 loss to the Penguins, the Ducks are now 4-4-2 this season. Anaheim was ahead until the third period, when Pittsburgh tied it up and then won in overtime. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3, keeping it under. The Ducks were underdogs on the puck line.

Alex Killorn scored for Anaheim at 15:50 in the first period, but the Ducks couldn’t hold the lead. Sidney Crosby tied it for Pittsburgh at 1:47 in the third period and then scored again in overtime to seal the win.

In their 2-1 loss to Pittsburgh, Anaheim’s offense was limited to just one goal, which came from Alex Killorn at 4:10 in the first period. Killorn scored on one of his two shots on goal, marking his second goal of the season. Trevor Zegras picked up his second assist, while Cutter Gauthier added his fourth.

The Ducks managed 23 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, tallying 23 in the game. They were unable to convert on any power play opportunities and didn’t score in the second or third periods.

Defensively, Anaheim will be looking to bounce back after giving up two late goals to the Penguins—one at 18:13 in the third period and another at 2:35 in overtime. Lukas Dostal made 43 saves, posting a 95.6% save percentage, while the Ducks’ defense added 7 takeaways and 27 hits.

• Over their last three regular season games, the Ducks have gone 1-2 straight up. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 2-1 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 4-6 straight up. Against the spread, Anaheim went 7-3 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Ducks to take down the Blackhawks at home. With the moneyline currently at -130, I’m placing my bet on the Ducks straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Blackhawks to cover. Even if the Ducks manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Blackhawks should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

Blackhawks Rallying Despite Struggles

The Blackhawks are coming off a gritty, come-from-behind 4-3 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. Chicago, which trailed 2-0 entering the third period, managed to claw back with a determined effort, highlighted by Tyler Bertuzzi’s game-tying goal with just 31 seconds remaining in regulation. The victory came despite being heavily outshot, 40-21, across regulation and overtime.

Chicago captain Nick Foligno praised the team’s perseverance. “We know we can and need to play better,” Foligno said. “But to find a way to come back in this game and get it done is a testament to the guys in here and honestly probably to the hockey gods, too.” Foligno’s comments reflect a sentiment of resilience and determination within a young and scrappy Blackhawks team trying to find their identity.

The Blackhawks are now 2-2 on their five-game road trip and have won two of their past three games, showing some progress following a rough October in which they posted a 3-7-1 record. Foligno emphasized the importance of learning how to win: “It wasn’t perfect, but that’s OK. We’re looking for results right now. It matters to know how to win.”

Ryan Donato has been a standout for Chicago, contributing six goals and eight points in 10 games. His offensive presence has been critical for a team that has struggled to generate consistent scoring.

Ducks Leaning on Stellar Goaltending

The Ducks return to Honda Center to kick off a six-game homestand following a mixed 1-2-1 road swing through the Metropolitan Division. Anaheim managed an impressive 7-4 win over the New York Islanders but fell in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins in their most recent contest on Thursday.

While the Ducks have shown promise, they remain second-to-last in the Pacific Division and continue to face challenges, particularly on offense. Anaheim has scored just 22 goals in 10 games, the fewest in the NHL. Despite this offensive drought, they’ve remained competitive thanks largely to the outstanding play of goaltender Lukas Dostal.

Dostal, filling in for injured starter John Gibson, has been nothing short of exceptional. With a .945 save percentage and a 1.99 goals-against average, Dostal ranks among the league’s best in both categories for goalies who have played at least three games. Ducks coach Greg Cronin didn’t hold back his praise: “Our best player has been our goalie. Let’s be honest. We’re 4-4-2 and could easily be (worse) if he’s not playing how he’s playing.”

Cronin also highlighted the inexperience of his young roster, mentioning how the team is still developing the connectivity that comes from experience. “There’s a connectivity that older teams have that usually reflects experience,” Cronin noted. “Our young guys have to learn by doing.”

Keys to the Game

Goaltending Matchup

The game could come down to goaltending, with Dostal continuing to provide Anaheim with a chance to win every night. On the Blackhawks’ side, Petr Mrazek and Arvid Söderblom have been serviceable, but Chicago may need more consistency between the pipes.

Offensive Opportunities

Both teams have struggled offensively, which makes capitalizing on scoring chances critical. Chicago’s ability to generate offense from players like Donato and Foligno will be tested against Anaheim’s stout goaltending. Both teams need to make the most of their chances if they hope to outscore their respective defensive lapses.

Youthful Energy vs. Experience

Both squads are filled with young talent still learning to navigate the NHL. The team that can harness its youthful energy while minimizing mistakes will have the upper hand. For the Ducks, this means supporting Dostal with tighter defensive play. For the Blackhawks, it means building on their momentum and finding ways to sustain offensive pressure.

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Outlook

Both teams are eager to string together wins and build confidence. The Blackhawks hope to close out their road trip on a high note, while the Ducks aim to set the tone for their homestand and capitalize on their strong goaltending. With both teams still searching for consistency, the game promises to be a battle of resilience and learning opportunities for their developing rosters.