The Chicago Blackhawks will face off against the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the United Center with the puck set to drop at 8:30 PM ET. This matchup presents two teams struggling to find their footing as the regular season approaches its climax. The Blackhawks hold the 15th position with 20 wins and 38 losses, whereas the Kraken sit slightly higher at 13th with 29 wins but have 34 losses and 5 overtime losses. Each team seeks to secure valuable points as they prepare for the remaining stretch of the NHL season.
One of the most discussed players entering the game is Connor Bedard of the Blackhawks, who currently leads the team with 35 assists and has recorded 52 points this season, scoring 17 goals to date. His ability to create offensive opportunities has been pivotal for Chicago, proving he is capable of stepping up when needed. Yet even with such talent, the Blackhawks have struggled significantly, allowing 235 goals this year, ranking them 30th overall, with just 181 scored, ranking 27th.
Connor Bedard's points prop for the game is set at Over/Under 0.5, with attached odds of -154 for the over and +120 for the under. This indicates the expectations for him to be actively involved offensively tonight against the Kraken. Interestingly, he has scored at least one point in 36 of his 67 games this season, which includes 12 games where he accumulated multiple points.
On the other end of the ice, Chandler Stephenson is the player to watch for the Kraken. Leading the team, he has achieved 47 points this season through 11 goals and 36 assists. His contributions have been significant as Seattle looks to maintain its 15th position for the current season, aiming to break out of the relegation zone of the Western Conference. Also notable, Seattle’s goal differential sits at -16, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities, allowing 218 goals so far this season.
The Kraken's recent performances have shown promise. They pushed back against the Winnipeg Jets with a close loss of 3-2 after overtime on March 16 and secured victory against the Utah Hockey Club on March 14, gaining momentum going forward. Stephenson's performance includes becoming instrumental with his assists without often scoring multipliers, as he has achieved points in 31 of the 67 games this year.
Match statistics of both teams reflect their current placements. The Kraken have averaged 3.0 goals per game over the season, which puts them at the 15th rank among NHL teams, whereas the Blackhawks manage just 2.7 goals per game, cementing their 27th rank. Each team's goalies have also struggled. Seattle's Joey Daccord holds a goals against average of 2.7 and Chicago’s Arvid Soderblom has seen numbers worsening with each game played.
Tonight’s head-to-head confrontation marks the third encounter this season. Previously, Chicago faced Seattle, winning the last matchup 3-1, creating some added tension for the Kraken as they hope to redeem their earlier defeat this season. The Blackhawks also hope to build on this with continued good performances from Bedard, who has shown flashes of excellence even if the team's overall performance has not matched his talent.
Both teams will likely adopt aggressive strategies, knowing they are desperate points on the line. Viewers tuning to watch the game can catch all the action at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN+, making it easily accessible for home viewers. For those interested, platforms like Fubo will also carry the game, allowing fans to stream live NHL action conveniently.
With the stakes raised, Chicago's fans are hoping for Bedard's continued offensive contributions, and Seattle's are rallying behind Stephenson to finally provide the answer to their team's scoring needs. This matchup not only influences their standings but could equally impact their morale heading toward the final season stretch.
