Hunter Skoczylas shares a preview, prediction and pick for Friday’s NHL matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals.

The Blackhawks will host the Capitals on Friday night at the United Center, with puck drop set for 8:00 p.m. ET. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Chicago is a +105 home underdog on the Moneyline, and the game’s total is set at O/U 5.5 goals. Between the pipes, Spencer Knight is the expected starter for Chicago, while Washington has yet to reveal who will start between Logan Thompson and Charlie Lindgren.

Below, I’ll provide a preview, prediction and pick for Friday’s tilt between the Blackhawks and Capitals.

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Washington Capitals prediction, preview

Blackhawks preview

Connor Bedard will make his return to the lineup for tonight’s tilt, his first game back since Dec. 12. In his absence, both Andre Burakovsky and Tyler Bertuzzi stepped up as the leading point-getters, totaling 10 and eight points, respectively, since Bedard was out of the lineup. Chicago is riding a four-game win streak, with one of those wins coming against this Capitals squad.

Bedard’s presence will be massive for Chicago, as the club sported 37.7% xGoals% with him off the ice. The club has still struggled for most of the season, ranking 23rd in goals per 60, which slightly rises to 21st when playing at 5v5. The Blackhawks rank eighth in PP% and fourth in PK%, scoring the 13th-most and allowing the fifth-fewest power play goals this season. Preventing goals is much easier when Spencer Knight is between the pipes, as he has been one of the most consistent goaltenders in the league, even with a below-average team in front of him. Knight ranks 17th in goals saved above expected and 28th in SV% above expected.

Capitals preview

The Capitals’ leading 5v5 goalscorer, Aliaksei Protas, practiced on Thursday and could make his return to the lineup tonight after missing the past three games with a lower-body injury. That will certainly help Washington get back on track after dropping three of its past four games. Plus, the club has lost six of its last seven road games. While Alex Ovechkin’s age is very much showing, and the Capitals lack true superstar talent, it has been a team-wide effort with production from depth roles both offensively and defensively.

Washington has been able to score goals at a high rate while still receiving elite goaltending from Logan Thompson. Among goaltenders, Thompson ranks second in goals saved above expected and 13th in SV% above expected, and he should start tonight, given a full day’s rest. Offensively, the Capitals rank ninth in goals per 60, and that ranking increases to third in the league when playing at 5v5. The true reason for the inconsistencies is the club’s special teams. It can no longer rely on the classic “pass to Ovi for a one-timer” strategy on the power play, which has resulted in the third-to-worst PP% in the league. It also ranks 12th in penalty minutes taken per 60 and 23rd in PK%.

Blackhawks vs. Capitals pick, best bet

This is an interesting matchup, with 65% of the handle but only 36% of the bets on DraftKings Sportsbook lying with the Blackhawks on the Moneyline at +105. Additionally, a whopping 93% of the handle and 80% of the bets have been placed on the total to exceed 5.5 goals, which almost makes me want to take the under, given how good both Knight and Thompson can be between the pipes.

These two teams just faced each other on Jan. 3, with Chicago winning in a shootout. In that matchup, the Blackhawks had a higher 5v5 xGoals% than the Capitals, and get to face them at home this time around. Plus, we must factor in the Bedard boost, so give me Chicago on the Moneyline as a home dog.

Best Bet: CHI Blackhawks Moneyline (+105)