NHL Predictions: March 6, Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks

Welcome back to this edition of NHL Predictions! Tonight, the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Vancouver Canucks. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey analyze the day’s games and provide in-depth analysis. We break down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might play out. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs Vancouver Canucks

Time: 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Season Series: Series tied 1-1

How to Watch TV: ESPN+, SNP, CHSN

Location: The United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks return home to take on Elias Pettersson and the Vancouver Canucks.

The first two matchups between these two foes easily could have gone the Blackhawks’ way. Thanks to goals from Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi, Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Jake DeBrusk and Max Sasson evened the score. Brock Boeser won it in a shootout, while former Blackhawk Kevin Lankinen stopped 31 shots for the win. In the second matchup, a third-period hat trick from Bertuzzi lifted the team to the win. Ilya Mikheyev and Connor Bedard added the other goals, while Spencer Knight thwarted 40 Canucks shots. Both teams look a bit different this time around, but are looking to secure two points.

Blackhawks Leaning Fully into Youth Movement

The Blackhawks suffered a devastating loss against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. The team is finally getting secondary scoring and, thanks to goals from Teuvo Teravainen and Ryan Greene, jumped out to a 2-1 lead. But Winnipeg tied it with under a minute left and won it in overtime. Knight made 29 saves in the game. Winnipeg had dominated the recent matchups between the two teams, and the Hawks have to feel devastated that they didn’t earn two points. The game was on the back of an impressive outing in Utah, where Chicago finally broke through and put up four goals. They are looking for a repeat of that performance tonight.

Tuesday night’s game was also the final one for Jason Dickinson, who was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, alongside Colton Dach. With Connor Murphy also out of the picture, the Hawks’ youth is going to have a true runway to get some NHL action. Murphy did not play against Winnipeg, so Ethan Del Mastro slotted into his place and played well. Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov continue to figure out their games. Nick Lardis is the prime candidate to slot into the forward lineup in place of Dickinson and Dach. He has played well with Oliver Moore earlier in the season and should see a nice opportunity. The post-trade-deadline youth movement begins tonight, with the Hawks looking for two points.

Canucks Trying to Pick Up Wins

Safe to say that this season has been a disaster for the Canucks. They are 1-7-2 in their last ten games and dropped their most recent contest to the Carolina Hurricanes. The team showed some fight, as four different goal scorers chipped in. Marco Rossi and Filip Hronek netted goals in the first period to give the team the lead. After falling behind 5-2, Brock Boeser and Nils Hoglander got the team back within one. Vancouver put together a nice push, but just could not get it done. Kevin Lankinen started the game, but was pulled for Nikita Tolopilo. Time will tell who is in the crease tonight. As always, be sure to check social media before puck drop for lineups and starting goaltender information. 

The Canucks have a lot of moving pieces in a season that feels lost. The Quinn Hughes trade marked the end of the team competing this year. Rossi, along with Zeev Buium and Liam Ohgren, has played well in stints, but still needs some time to find his final form. Drew O’Connor‘s 14 goals lead the way, with Elias Pettersson leading the way with 37 points. That being said, the club shipped off Tyler Myers earlier in the week, and time will tell how many other players are on their way out at this deadline.

Game Prediction

The Canucks are the worst team in the league for a reason. Expect the Hawks to put together a good outing and pick up the win.

Prediction: Hawks win 3-1

Prop Bets

Blackhawks -1.5 (+164)

Under 6.5 goals (-128)

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