Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks Picks and Predictions October 22nd 2024

Looking to win big? The Canucks and Blackhawks face off at 8:15 ET on ESPN+. The Blackhawks are hosting the game at United Center in Chicago, IL. The Canucks come into this Western conference matchup as the -1.5 goal favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 6 goals.

Vancouver vs. Chicago Key Information

Vancouver moved to 2-1-2 with a 3-0 win over the Flyers. The Canucks covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals was never in danger, with only 3 goals scored in the game.

All three of Vancouver’s goals came from different players, with Nils Hoglander opening the scoring at 3:51 in the first period. The Canucks’ defense held strong, limiting the Flyers to 26 shots on goal.

The Canucks fired 32 shots on goal in their 3-0 win over the Flyers, with 14 offensive giveaways. Nils Hoglander got them on the board early with his second goal of the season, 3:51 into the first period.

Join for Exclusive Betting Insights! Register Today.

Brock Boeser netted his third goal of the year, while Kiefer Sherwood added his first. Vancouver scored twice in the second period, with their final goal coming at 10:30.

Vancouver’s defense was rock-solid in their last game, allowing 0 goals to the Flyers. Goalie Kevin Lankinen had a perfect night, stopping all 26 shots with a 100% save percentage. The Canucks’ defense also contributed 4 takeaways and 37 hits.

Chicago dropped to 2-3-1 after a 4-2 loss to the Sabres. The Blackhawks fell behind 2-0 in the first period before Craig Smith scored twice in the second to tie it up. However, the Sabres regained the lead with 1:23 left in the second and added an empty-net goal in the third.

As underdogs on the puck line, the Blackhawks failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit that number exactly.

Chicago fired 37 shots on goal but only scored twice in their 4-2 loss to the Sabres. Craig Smith netted both goals, his first two of the season. Lukas Reichel picked up assists on both of Smith’s goals, bringing his assist total to two for the year.

The Blackhawks were held scoreless in the first period before Smith’s goals at 13:32 and 7:12 in the second. Chicago had 10 giveaways and failed to convert on any of their power play opportunities.

Chicago’s defense had a tough start, conceding the first two goals at 8:39 and 11:31 in the first period. After tying the game at 2-2, the Blackhawks allowed another goal with just 1:23 left in the second period and an empty-netter at 19:34 in the third. Arvid Söderblom made 18 saves with an 85.7% save percentage, while the defense added 6 takeaways and 21 hits.

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Blackhawks to take down the Canucks at home. With the moneyline currently at +150, I’m placing my bet on the Blackhawks straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Blackhawks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Blackhawks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

With an over/under line sitting at 6 goals, we like this game to surpass that mark and recommend getting a bet down on the over.

Canucks’ Kevin Lankinen Goes for 3rd Straight Win vs. Blackhawks

The Vancouver Canucks are riding the hot hand of goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who will aim for his third consecutive victory when the team visits the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Lankinen has been a standout for Vancouver in the early season, stepping up as the club’s top goalie while Thatcher Demko continues to recover from a knee injury sustained during last season’s playoffs.

Lankinen’s Strong Start

After sitting out Vancouver’s opening game, Lankinen has seized the starting job, going 2-0-1 with an impressive 1.28 goals-against average. He earned the fourth shutout of his NHL career on Saturday with a 26-save performance in a 3-0 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. His calm, collected approach to the game has been a key factor in his success.

“I try not to be too high or too low and just keep that even keel,” Lankinen said after the shutout. “It’s staying patient and confident, following my process.”

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet has been impressed with Lankinen’s composure in net. “He’s been unreal,” Tocchet said. “I like his composure, and he’s good at just stopping pucks.” With Demko still recovering and backup goalie Arturs Silovs struggling early in the season, Lankinen has provided the Canucks with stability in goal.

Canucks Finding Their Offense

Offensively, Vancouver has started to gain momentum after a slow start. Nils Hoglander, Brock Boeser, and Kiefer Sherwood found the back of the net in the win against Philadelphia, providing the Canucks with the offensive punch they need to support their standout goaltending. After starting the season with three straight losses, Vancouver is now on a two-game winning streak and is looking to extend it against a Blackhawks team that has been inconsistent to start the season.

Blackhawks’ Rollercoaster Start

The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have been up and down so far this season, alternating wins and losses in their last four games after an 0-1-1 start. Chicago comes into the matchup following a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, the second game of a four-game homestand. Despite the loss, Craig Smith was a bright spot for Chicago, scoring two goals in the second period to briefly tie the game after Buffalo jumped out to a 2-0 lead.

Smith’s performance was bolstered by strong play from Lukas Reichel, who assisted on both of Smith’s goals. However, the Blackhawks couldn’t maintain the momentum, allowing a late second-period goal and an empty-netter in the closing moments to seal their defeat. Chicago outshot Buffalo 37-22, but they’ll need to translate more of those chances into goals if they hope to snap their alternating win-loss pattern.

Stay Informed with NHL Betting Tips! Access top NHL Picks and Parlays now.

Depth Issues for Chicago

Chicago is dealing with some depth concerns as Joey Anderson missed the game against Buffalo due to illness, and Patrick Maroon was sidelined with a lower-body injury. The Blackhawks hope to get more secondary scoring from the pairing of Reichel and Smith, especially with key players out of the lineup.

“We were forechecking hard, we skated hard, and we got two goals, which is good,” Reichel said. “But at the same time, we’re disappointed because we didn’t win.”

The Blackhawks will look to clean up their defensive game after giving up critical goals at inopportune times, something Reichel acknowledged: “If you score, you’ve got to play defensively good, too.”

What’s at Stake

As Lankinen returns to face his former team, the Blackhawks, the Canucks will be looking to continue their winning ways and find more consistent scoring to support their strong defensive play. Vancouver’s power play has yet to score this season, going 0-for-17 through five games, and they’ll be looking to get that unit on track as well.

On the other side, the Blackhawks will be eager to stabilize their play at home, avoid falling below .500, and give backup goalie Arvid Soderblom more defensive support. Soderblom, who faced 22 shots against Buffalo, is expected to start again as Chicago looks for more from its depleted lineup.

Both teams are still working to find consistency in their young seasons, and Tuesday’s matchup will be a key opportunity for one of these squads to start building sustained momentum.