NHL Picks: Blackhawks will get back on track against Predators – CBSSports.com
Welcome to the NHL daily picks where hockey writers Adam Gretz and Chris Peters make their selections for all of the day’s games.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators, 8 p.m. ET
Things are starting to get close at the top of the NHL’s central division as it has turned into a three-team race with the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues all entering play on Thursday within three points of the top spot. The Blackhawks are in a bit of a back-and-forth with the Stars for first place, but Chicago’s recent run of only two wins over their past six games has allowed the Blues to close the gap on them as well. Chicago is coming off of one of its worst games of the season when it was demolished in the Stadium Series game in Minnesota by a 6-1 final.
They have a chance to get back on track on Thursday against a Predators team that is trying to secure its own playoff spot, holding a five-point edge over the Wild for a wild card spot.
At times this season the Predators have looked like a team that should not only be a lock for a playoff spot, but that could even make some noise in the Western Conference. But goaltending has been a constant issue this season and held back what could be an otherwise strong team. They’ve been loyal to Pekka Rinne and given him an opportunity to play through his struggles, but at some point you have to wonder when — or if — they will either give Carter Hutton more of an opportunity or make a move for somebody else.
One player that has really started to pick up his game at the right time for them has been forward Filip Forsberg who is coming off of a natural hat trick in their most recent win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Including that game, Forsberg now has nine goals and three assists over his past nine games.
The problem for the Predators on Thursday is they visit a team that has had their number over the past two years. Since the start of last season, including the playoff series a year ago, the Predators have won only four out of 14 games against Chicago and are just 1-3 against the Blackhawks this season.
Even though Chicago has hit a little bit of a rough patch over the past week-and-a-half and is still without Marian Hossa, it’s nothing more than the peaks and valleys that come with an 82-game season. This is still one of the best teams in the NHL and they should be able to continue their recent dominance of Nashville on Thursday. Pick: Chicago Blackhawks 4, Nashville Predators 2.
The rest of Thursday’s picks
Minnesota Wild 3, Philadelphia Flyers 1
New Jersey Devils 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 0
Carolina Hurricanes 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 1
Florida Panthers 5, Arizona Coyotes 2
St. Louis Blues 3, New York Rangers 2
Dallas Stars 5, Winnipeg Jets 3
New York Islanders 4, Calgary Flames 3
Ottawa Senators 3, Vancouver Canucks 1
Los Angeles Kings 5, Edmonton Oilers 1
The Chicago Blackhawks have dominated the Nashville Predators recently. (USATSI)
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