Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey reviews the scheduled games and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will win in head-to-head matchups. Today, we preview the Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks. Check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Chicago Blackhawks vs Anaheim Ducks
Head to Head: Blackhawks 1 – 1 Ducks
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: CHSN; Victory+; KCOP-13; ESPN+
The Anaheim Ducks (26-25-7) will host the Chicago Blackhawks (17-35-7) at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on March 1st. This is the rubber match of a three-game season series between two of last season’s lottery teams. So far, the road team won both matchups. Normally the goal scorer, Connor Bedard, scored a “hat-trick” of assists in the first meeting on November 3rd. The Ducks will look to shut down the young phenom, continue their winning ways, and stay hot on home ice. Chicago has the second-worst record in the league, is almost a shoo-in for another lottery pick, and is simply trying to build some momentum going into the offseason and into next season. This will be an interesting matchup between two teams at different stages of their rebuilds. One team is still fully in rebuild mode and one is looking to play their first meaningful hockey in the last seven seasons.
Chicago Blackhawks Playing for Pride
Chicago is coming off a tough 7 – 5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. Anytime a team scores five goals, they expect to win, but the Blackhawks are not a typical team and they are not having a typical season.
Things are not looking up either. The Blackhawks are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games and have lost 5 in a row. They are bottom of the league in most major statistical categories except for special teams. Teuvo Teravainen leads the Hawks with five points in their previous five games. Meanwhile, Bedard is the one driving the offense overall with 49 points this season. He’ll be disappointed with only 16 goals, but there’s a lot of disappointment going around that locker room. Just ask Seth Jones.
“We’re the exact same team right now as we were game 1. It’s pretty evident out there. We haven’t made any strides to be a better, more simple hockey team, and it shows.”
Seth Jones shows his frustration after the Blackhawks loss to Utah tonight. pic.twitter.com/jsIXae3yxh
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 26, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Arvid Soderblom had a fantastic 37-save performance against Anaheim in early November. Based on that, expect him to get the start. Soderblom has a 3.02 goals against average and .906 save percentage this season.
Anaheim Ducks Look to Continue Standings Climb
While it took a while for the Ducks to break through Arturs Silovs, Anaheim was flying from puck drop in a pivotal Pacific Division matchup on Thursday. After surrendering the first two goals of the game, including an absolute bomb from Tyler Myers, the Ducks scored five unanswered enroute to an enormous 5 – 2 victory.
Anaheim will need to find the same energy and motivation going into their matchup against Chicago, especially coming off an emotional win against a fellow playoff chaser. With that, bringing their top game every day is what being a professional is, and what these men are paid to do. Expect the Ducks to continue to ride this wave.
Troy Terry leads the team with six points in the previous five games and scored a pretty impressive empty net goal against the Canucks. In one motion, he took a pass at the red line and effortlessly lofted the puck into the middle of the yawning cage. The win kept the Duckas at 7-2-1 in their previous 10 games. While they looked okay without him against Vancouver, the Ducks are anxious to get Trevor Zegras back. In this one, he will be serving the final game of his three-game suspension.
Many eyes will be on John Gibson during morning skate and leading up to warmups. He is practicing with the team, but it is unclear if he is ready to return to game action. Making things more interesting, the annual tradition of trade speculation around him is ramping up again. If Gibson is good to go, expect him to start. He is posting a 2.66 goals against average and .916 save percentage this season.
NHL Predictions
While the Ducks have been anything but consistent, they don’t let these points slip away. The two things that could keep Anaheim from winning this game is undisciplined and unfocused penalties or a rough outing from their goaltender. Anaheim’s top line of Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome, and Troy Terry have an impressive three-point game, and Pavel Mintyukov carries the strong offensive play he had against Vancouver into this one and is rewarded with a goal. The Ducks dominate start to finish.
Prediction: Ducks win 5 – 1
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out our NHL Prediction for the Chicago Blackhawks versus Anaheim Ducks with some of our preferred prop bets of the night. The Ducks puck line is looking good at (+146). Cutter Gauthier is starting to heat up and is playing with tons of confidence. Take a look at Gauthier anytime goal (+310). For a long shot, keep an eye on Mintyukov anytime goal as well (+1000). Record this season (9-19).
Note: Always check the latest team news and player statuses before placing any bets, as injuries and other factors can influence game outcomes.
Main Photo Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
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