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Golden Knights vs Blackhawks Picks and Predictions – Sunday January 4, 2026
Vegas heads into the United Center on Sunday, January 4, 2026, for a matchup with Chicago at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. The Golden Knights sit at 17-11-11 and are still in the mix near the top half of the West, while the Blackhawks (16-18-7) are chasing consistency and points in the Central race.
The odds reflect a clear gap, with Vegas priced like the better roster and the better special teams profile. The betting question is whether the Knights’ current availability issues and Chicago’s home push can keep this tight enough to matter on the puck line, or if Vegas’ talent edge shows up early and turns it into a comfortable road win.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should continue to monitor the latest NHL odds leading into puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | -256 | -1.5 (+102) | 6.0 (O -116 / U -104) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +209 | +1.5 (-125) | 6.0 (O -116 / U -104) |
Vegas Golden Knights Betting Form
Vegas is coming off a 4-3 loss to St. Louis, and it fits the recent theme: the offense is creating enough to compete, but the margins have been thin and the finishing or defensive sequencing hasn’t been clean for long stretches. The power play remains a real weapon, ranking top-six in power play goals, and that matters a lot against teams that can drift into penalty trouble when they’re chasing matchups.
The bigger handicap angle is availability and lineup stability. When you’re missing multiple regulars, especially on the back end and in net, the Knights can still win games, but it changes how they manage pace and risk. Vegas can still drive offense through its top creators, yet the defensive exits and neutral-zone structure can get looser when too many pieces are out at once.
If you want a quick read on recent results and how this group has been trending, check Vegas Golden Knights stats and results. For late scratches and goalie updates, keep an eye on the Vegas Golden Knights injury report.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s 3-2 win over Washington is the type of result that can stabilize a team, because it was built on goaltending and hanging in defensively when the game tightened. That’s important here since the Blackhawks don’t need to out-talent Vegas to cover +1.5. They need to keep the game in a one-goal band into the third and force the favorite to earn it through structured possessions.
The Blackhawks’ special teams can help them steal stretches, too. They’re top-10 in power play goals, and that’s their cleanest path to offense if 5v5 chances are hard to come by. The concern is the overall injury situation, especially with high-impact absences that can thin the top of the lineup and reduce finishing ability.
For more context on their schedule, splits, and recent form, go to Chicago Blackhawks schedule and stats. For updated availability leading into the night, check the Chicago Blackhawks injury report.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Matchup Breakdown
At 5v5, this sets up as a classic talent-versus-survival game state. Vegas is the team more likely to generate sustained zone time and turn small advantages into quality looks, but Chicago can make that uncomfortable if they’re blocking lanes, keeping the slot protected, and forcing Vegas to shoot through layers. If the Knights’ blue line is patched together, Chicago’s forecheck can matter more than it usually would against Vegas.
Special teams are the swing factor. Vegas’ power play is a consistent scoring threat, and Chicago’s penalty kill has to be sharp about clears and the first pass after retrievals. On the other side, Chicago’s power play has enough punch to keep them live, especially if Vegas takes lazy penalties while managing the puck. This is the part of the matchup where a heavy favorite can look vulnerable for five minutes at a time.
Goaltending is the other variable that can flip the feel of the game. Chicago got a strong performance last time out, and Vegas is dealing with injuries in net. If the Knights go with a backup or a less-than-100% option, you can justify a stronger look at the Blackhawks +1.5 or even a small shot on the plus money. If Vegas gets steadier goaltending than expected, the moneyline makes more sense than the puck line.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Predictions and Best Bets
My baseline lean is Vegas to win, because the price is telling you the market expects the Knights to control most of the game and Chicago’s injury situation limits their margin for error. If Vegas gets even average goaltending and avoids a parade to the box, they should be the side dictating pace and territory.
The puck line is where it gets uncomfortable. -1.5 needs a clean 60, and Vegas’ current injury list makes that harder to trust, especially on the road where one soft goal can turn the entire third period into clock management. If you want Vegas exposure, I’d rather play it straight up than rely on margin.
On the total, 6.0 is a tight number with juice to the over. The case for over is special teams plus a Vegas team that can score even when they’re not at their sharpest defensively. The case for under is Chicago leaning on structure and goaltending to slow the game down and keep it in the 3-2 range. If Vegas’ goalie situation is confirmed shaky, the over gets stronger.
Best Bet: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline (-256)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a full NHL slate, start with the NHL picks page and compare matchups across the NHL previews hub to see where your strongest positions line up with the board.
For bettors who like following proven performance, the best handicappers page and the live handicappers leaderboard are the fastest way to spot who’s seeing the sport well right now. If you want packaged plays for the day, you can find options on buy picks.
If you’re tightening up how you bet sides and totals in hockey, the NHL betting guide is a solid refresher on the key angles that move results, and the Stanley Cup betting guide is useful for longer-horizon market thinking when you’re tracking team trajectories.
