The Stanley Cup Winners, the Chicago Blackhawks, need to get back on the right track, and taking a scalp off the Nashville Predators is a real step in the right direction. It is the second meeting of these two sides this NHL season and the Predators are 1-0 up, after scoring twice in the third period, on October 13 at the United Center.

Expect a cold reception for Predator Joel Ward who scored the game-winner with just 26.7 seconds remaining, as Nashville took the Blackhawks 3-2.


Both these sides are finding November a tough month and their last ten stats are pretty grim reading Chicago is 3-7-0 and Nashville is 3-5-2.

The reigning champions got off to a strong start but went into free fall down the standings and have dropped  four of their last five games, and considering the Hawks have played more games than anyone in their division and haven't won in regulation this month, they need to start winning again – RIGHT NOW!

Remember how good both these teams looked at the end of last season? They each seemed to be shoe-ins for the West's playoffs, but instead they sit on the bottom of the Central Division….

It’s tough division and a close division and if either team strings a handful of wins together they’ll be right back in it, the Blackhawks are just four points off the top spot, and Nashville is only two worse off.

But who’s going to have the better Saturday night?

The sportsbooks seem to think that it’ll be Chicago who will come out winners, 5Dimes have them at -125 (a fair average line).

The Predators are fresh off a 3-2 shootout win over St. Louis, and should be buoyed by getting one over the division leaders, but before that bright moment they suffered a five-game losing streak.

Coach Barry Trotz said "We hadn't won in awhile. We were fortunate to win it in the shootout (but) will take the win."

Was that win a blip in a downward trajectory OR the start of something good?

The best NHL betting odds on the Predators are with Pinnacle, who has them at +113.

Despite finding the net, a lot Nashville still haven’t won a game in regulation time since Oct. 24; it’s the defence that has been having real problems. The normally steadfast Pekka Rinne has been having a nightmare in the nets. He’s allowed in a massive 18 goals in just the last five games.

Possibly some good news for Chicago, because the first thing the Hawks need to do is find the net… they’ve only managed two goals over their last two games and if they beat the Predators, don’t expect it to be by much.

And if you reckon, it’s going to end with les than 5.5 goals – Bodog is offering-130.

Chicago Coach, Joel Quenneville shook up his squad before their home loss to Phoenix, he moved Patrick Kane from right to left wing and split the defensive pair Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, but it didn’t have the desired effect!

The “goal scorers” that are (make that were) Kane, Toews and Sharp have each gone two games without a single point. But worse still; Hossa hasn't scored in six games.

A goal, a goal, our trophy for a goal….

Failure to score is only half the problem. Between the pipes, Marty Turco has had his own troubles, his goals-against average has swelled to 2.73 during this bad Chicago run.

But I feel that one good result will turn their season around, the Blackhawks are a great team and taking the Predators apart should go down as the point where their season turned a corner!

More good news for Chicago is that they have no serious injury worries, but Nashville's lineup is much thinner. The Predators will likely be missing Center, Matthew Lombardi, Defence, Ryan Suter and Right Winger, Martin Erat.

Plus the Predators are currently on four consecutive home losses.

Good times for Chicago start here! Stay tuned to SBROdds.com for the lastest betting odds.

NHL Free Prediction: Away win, 4-2!