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Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena with puck drop set for 7:00 PM ET on ESPN+. Chicago is 21-24-9 and searching for answers after letting a big lead slip in its last game. Pittsburgh is 26-14-11 and has been rolling since the break, but it’s not a clean setup with a couple key pieces missing.
The Penguins are chasing a fifth straight win, yet they’ll have to do it without Bryan Rust, who starts a three-game suspension, and without Jack St. Ivany, who is expected to miss time after surgery. There’s also some uncertainty around Evgeni Malkin’s status after he was limited in practice work. That’s a lot of production and structure to patch over, even for a team playing confident hockey.
Chicago has dropped three straight (0-1-2), but the most recent loss still had signs of life. The Blackhawks drove shots and created enough chances to win, then couldn’t close. If they bring that same pace to Pittsburgh, the question becomes whether their special teams edge can travel and whether their finishing shows up at the right time.
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Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated prices and shop numbers throughout the day using the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Blackhawks | +159 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | -189 | Not provided | Not provided |
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s recent results look rough, but the details are a little more complicated than a simple “bad team playing bad hockey.” They’ve been competitive, they’ve generated chances, and they’ve gotten enough shot volume to make these games playable. The issue is that the swings inside the game have been brutal. When they make a mistake, it tends to turn into a goal against, and when they get ahead, they haven’t consistently protected the middle of the ice long enough to let the clock do the work.
Connor Bedard is still the engine, even if the production has cooled this month. That matters for betting because Chicago’s upside is tied to whether their top-end creators can turn shot volume into actual finishing. If the Blackhawks are creating but not converting, it pushes them toward puck line value rather than true moneyline upset value.
The big edge for Chicago right now is special teams defense. Their penalty kill has been elite, and that’s a real counter to Pittsburgh’s power play. If you want a quick read on recent game logs and trends, the Chicago Blackhawks stats and results page is the easiest snapshot. Availability still matters, so monitor the Chicago Blackhawks injury report before puck drop.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Form
Pittsburgh’s form has been strong enough that the market has started pricing them like a different team than we saw earlier in the season. They’re on a four-game win streak and they’ve been winning with a mix of finishing and structure, not just one hot shooting night. The goaltending has been steady lately, and when Pittsburgh is getting saves, the whole roster plays a little looser in the offensive zone.
But this is not a normal “ride the heater” spot, because Rust and St. Ivany are meaningful losses. Rust is a top-line driver and a key finisher, and St. Ivany missing time affects the blue-line rotation and matchup comfort. Malkin’s status is the other major variable. If he plays, Pittsburgh can absorb Rust’s absence better. If he doesn’t, it starts to feel like too much missing offense and too many changed roles all at once.
I do think Pittsburgh still has the right kind of depth to survive it, especially at home, but the way you bet it changes. Without Rust, the power play looks different. Without St. Ivany, the defensive pairs can get stretched. For recent results and home splits, the Pittsburgh Penguins schedule and stats page is the quick reference. And yes, you really do need to monitor the Pittsburgh Penguins injury report before betting this one.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup Breakdown
The most interesting part of this matchup is special teams. Pittsburgh’s power play has been one of the best in the league, but it’s also gone quiet lately, and now it’s missing a key piece in Rust. Chicago’s penalty kill has been the best in the NHL and has been even sharper recently. If that holds, it takes away one of Pittsburgh’s cleanest paths to separation.
At five-on-five, Pittsburgh still profiles as the steadier team. The Penguins have been better at protecting leads and managing the third period, while Chicago has struggled to close games when the momentum shifts. The Blackhawks can generate enough chances to hang around, but when the game tightens late, Pittsburgh usually has the better decision-making and the stronger matchup options at home.
This one is also a game-state handicap. If Chicago scores first, you can get a live dog script where their penalty kill keeps them afloat and the game stays uncomfortable. If Pittsburgh scores first, Chicago is forced to open up, and that’s where turnovers and odd-man looks can show up quickly.
If you like a cleaner framework for pricing these special teams and game-script spots, the NHL betting guide is useful. And if you’re trying to understand why certain teams keep carrying a tax even when they’re missing pieces, the Stanley Cup betting guide helps with that longer market view.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Pittsburgh on the moneyline at -189, but I don’t love it as an automatic play unless the lineup news breaks cleanly. If Malkin is confirmed in, I’m much more comfortable backing the Penguins because the offensive structure stays intact even without Rust. If Malkin sits, I think the price starts to feel heavy, and Chicago becomes more interesting as a plus-money dog that can at least neutralize special teams.
Without a total posted in the info here, I’m treating the total as a read rather than a bet. The special teams matchup points toward fewer “easy” goals, which can keep a game tighter. But if Pittsburgh’s defensive rotation is patched together and Chicago gets sustained zone time, the game can still drift upward. It really depends on how clean Pittsburgh’s breakouts look without St. Ivany and whether Chicago finishes the chances it’s been missing lately.
If you want a slightly safer angle than paying the full moneyline tax, Chicago plus the goal and a half can be appealing when a favorite is missing key pieces. The problem is we don’t have the puck line price here, and that number matters a lot. This isn’t a “bet it no matter what” situation.
Best Bet: Pittsburgh Penguins moneyline (-189).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL daily, the edge is usually timing and context. Lines move fast on goalie confirmations, late scratches, and special teams personnel changes, and this game has all the ingredients for that. Checking today’s NHL picks helps you compare approaches across the board before you lock in a number.
ScoresAndStats also gives you full transparency on who’s actually producing. You can evaluate different styles on the top sports handicappers, track long-term results on the handicapper leaderboard, and if you want more volume beyond the free slate, you can buy expert picks.
For more matchups in this same format, the NHL previews hub is the clean way to stay organized day to day.
