...
...
Read Article
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks prediction: Why Carolina is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/9/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Carolina Hurricanes vs Chicago Blackhawks predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes are scheduled to meet in the NHL at United Center on Thursday, starting at 8:30 PM ET.
Based on the latest simulation results, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Hurricanes as the most likely winner of the Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks game.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Canes vs. Hawks prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL game between the Hurricanes and Blackhawks, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model gives the Hurricanes a 62% chance of defeating the Blackhawks.
According to our model, the Blackhawks (+1.5) have a 60% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 54% chance of staying under.
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Hurricanes | Blackhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+136) | +1.5 (-160) |
| Moneyline | -166 | +155 |
| Total | o6.5 (+112) | u6.5 (-130) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Blackhawks +1.5 | -160 |
| Moneyline | Hurricanes | -166 |
| Total | Over 6.5 | +112 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Hurricanes to win.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks player props
Who will score a goal in Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks?
According to our model, Nikolaj Ehlers is most likely to score an anytime goal in Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks.
Our projections give Ehlers a 44.5% chance of scoring a goal at United Center, while the star is a 9.1% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Carolina Hurricanes
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 44.5% |
| Logan Stankoven | 37.1% |
| Taylor Hall | 32.6% |
| Jackson Blake | 30.8% |
| Jesperi Kotkaniemi | 22.7% |
Chicago Blackhawks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor Bedard | 29.2% |
| Frank Nazar | 27.4% |
| Tyler Bertuzzi | 27.3% |
| Ilya Mikheyev | 25.3% |
| Nick Lardis | 21.3% |
First goal scorer predictions
Carolina Hurricanes
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Nikolaj Ehlers | 9.1% |
| Logan Stankoven | 6.7% |
| Taylor Hall | 5.9% |
| Jackson Blake | 5.6% |
| Jesperi Kotkaniemi | 3.7% |
Chicago Blackhawks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor Bedard | 5.5% |
| Tyler Bertuzzi | 4.8% |
| Frank Nazar | 4.8% |
| Ilya Mikheyev | 4.5% |
| Teuvo Teravainen | 4.1% |
Canes vs. Hawks game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Blackhawks and Hurricanes at United Center is scheduled to start at 8:30 PM ET.
- Who: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Time: 8:30 PM ET/5:30PM PT
- Venue: United Center
Conclusion
We predict the Hurricanes, with a 62% win probability, will likely beat the Blackhawks in Thursday's NHL matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
Advertiser disclosure