Chicago at Vancouver

A talented team on the way up is going up against a struggling team on the way down. Chicago is #13 in the NHL in goals scored, sixth in goals allowed and #13 in penalty killing. The Blackhawks are 62-29 against a team with a losing record and face a banged up Vancouver squad. The Canucks are #25 in goals scored, #26 in goals allowed and #27 in penalty killing. Vancouver has been hit hard by injuries, losing forwards Sven Baertschi and Bo Horvat earlier in December for at least a month each. The Canucks are reeling with losses in four straight and eight of their last nine, including five of their last six games at home. Vancouver has surrendered nine power-play goals in the past seven games. The team is on a 22-48 run, including 6-25 at home! Eight of their last nine losses have been by two goals or more, with scores of 3-1, 7-5, 6-1, 7-1, 5-1, 4-2, 4-1 and 5-2, so back the visitors in a blowout. Play Chicago on the puckline.