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Game Preview: Vegas Golden Knights @ Chicago Blackhawks
The Vegas Golden Knights travel to the United Center to face the Chicago Blackhawks in a Western Conference clash. Vegas remains a top contender in the Pacific Division, while Chicago continues to rebuild with rookie sensation Connor Bedard leading the way.
This game pits a veteran, deep Vegas squad against a youthful, inconsistent Chicago team. It’s a prime spot for bettors looking to take advantage of the value presented by a lopsided matchup.
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Odds and Key Information
Vegas enters this matchup as a heavy favorite on the moneyline, priced around -220. The Blackhawks sit at +180 as home underdogs. The total is set at 6.0 goals.
The Golden Knights bring a 14-6-2 record into the game, with a 3.4 goals-per-game average and just 2.5 goals allowed. Their power play is hitting over 21%, while the penalty kill is at 83%.
The Blackhawks are struggling at 7-13-1. Offensively, they average only 2.3 goals per game and allow 3.4. Their special teams continue to struggle, especially the penalty kill, which is under 76%.
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Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
The Golden Knights continue to show they’re one of the most structured and disciplined teams in the NHL. Their top line has been producing consistently, with Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Jonathan Marchessault all contributing on both ends.
Vegas excels at suppressing high-danger chances and ranks near the top of the league in shot differential. Goaltender Adin Hill remains one of the best statistically, providing elite-level support.
What sets Vegas apart is their depth. Their third and fourth lines can score, control the puck, and maintain defensive structure. Combined with a strong power play and penalty kill, they are a complete unit that should dominate weaker opponents.
Stay up to date with all Vegas stats and trends on their team page.
Chicago Blackhawks Outlook
The Blackhawks have shown flashes of growth, especially through Bedard, who leads the team in points. Still, they’re plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of scoring depth.
Chicago’s biggest concern remains puck possession. They allow over 32 shots per game and consistently lose the neutral zone battle. Defensively, they are vulnerable to transition plays, and their inability to clear the zone makes them susceptible to extended pressure.
Goaltending from Petr Mrazek has kept them in games at times, but the overall defensive effort around him has been lacking. Offensively, the team has not found secondary scoring, making them easy to defend against when Bedard is neutralized.
Check out more performance indicators on their team profile.
Key Matchup
The most critical aspect of this game will be how the Golden Knights’ aggressive forecheck matches up against Chicago’s defensive zone exits. Vegas forces turnovers at an elite rate, especially in the neutral zone, while the Blackhawks struggle with clean breakouts and giveaways.
Vegas will likely control puck possession, zone time, and pace. If Chicago can’t clear the puck quickly, Vegas will generate multiple scoring chances from extended shifts. This mismatch is one of the most decisive factors leaning toward the road favorite.
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Betting Trends
Vegas is 8-1 in its last nine games against Chicago and has covered the puck line in six of those meetings. They are also 6-2 against the spread in their last eight games versus teams with a losing record.
The Blackhawks are just 2-7 against the spread in their last nine home games and continue to struggle in matchups against top-tier offenses.
The total has gone under in four of the last five Vegas road games, but five of the last seven head-to-head meetings between these teams have gone over.
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Prediction
There’s a clear edge on both paper and the ice in favor of Vegas. They bring elite defensive structure, balanced scoring, and strong special teams, all of which are problematic for a Chicago squad that ranks near the bottom of most statistical categories.
Unless Bedard delivers a breakout performance and Mrazek plays lights out, the Blackhawks will struggle to keep pace. The most likely outcome is a decisive win for the Golden Knights with limited scoring from the home side.
Projected Score: Vegas Golden Knights 4, Chicago Blackhawks 1
Spread Pick: Vegas -1.5
Total Lean: Under 6.0
Why You Need Expert Picks
Even clear matchups like this carry betting risk. Between line changes, fatigue, and market movement, NHL betting is never a guarantee. That’s why leaning on expert insights from ScoresAndStats NHL picks can give you the edge.
Check the live Handicappers Leaderboard to follow top-performing cappers. Whether it’s totals, props, or puck lines, expert data-backed recommendations help you make smarter plays.
For more insights, explore:
Stanley Cup Futures,
Atlantic Division Picks,
and Central Division Betting.
