NHL Game Preview: Anaheim Ducks (2-2-0) vs. Chicago Blackhawks (2-2-2)

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Venue & Event Details

Venue: United Center, 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612

Puck Drop: 7:00 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+, NBC Sports Chicago, Bally Sports SoCal

Radio: WGN 720 AM (CHI), Ducks Radio 830 AM (ANA)

Injury Report

Anaheim Ducks: No major injuries reported. Coach Joel Quenneville has leaned heavily on his young core, with Leo Carlsson logging big minutes.

Chicago Blackhawks: No significant injuries listed. Spencer Knight expected to start in net after a strong showing vs. Vancouver.

Key Player Matchups

Leo Carlsson (ANA) vs. Connor Bedard (CHI): The No. 2 and No. 1 picks from the 2023 Draft face off. Carlsson has 6 points in his last 3 games, while Bedard has 6 points in 6 games.

Mason McTavish (ANA) vs. Tyler Bertuzzi (CHI): Both provide secondary scoring and physicality.

John Gibson (ANA) vs. Spencer Knight (CHI): Goaltending duel between a veteran and a rising starter.

Team Recent Form

Anaheim Ducks:

Coming off a 4-1 loss to Carolina.

Offense improving under Quenneville, generating strong 5v5 expected goals (xGF/60 near 4.0).

Struggled to score first, conceding the opening goal in all four games.

Chicago Blackhawks:

Lost 3-2 in a shootout to Vancouver after blowing a 2-0 lead.

Bedard continues to drive offense, while Ryan Donato and Bertuzzi provide depth scoring.

Defense has been inconsistent, especially in second periods.

Series History

Chicago has dominated recent meetings: 7-1-1 in their last 9 at United Center and 16-4-1 in their last 21 overall vs. Anaheim.

Bedard has 11 points in 6 career games vs. Anaheim, including a 5-point game in March 2024.

Betting Trends

Ducks have conceded first in 4 straight games.

Blackhawks are on a 3-game point streak (2-0-1).

Anaheim’s offense trending up, but special teams remain inconsistent.

Game Odds

Anaheim Ducks                 – 125

Chicago Blackhawks       6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, October 18, 2025