San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions – Monday February 2, 2026
San Jose heads to the United Center on Monday night for an 8:30 PM puck drop against Chicago. The Sharks come in 27-22-4 and still have something to protect in the West race, but this is also the kind of road spot where the market can get sharp fast if a goalie surprise hits late.
Chicago sits at 21-25-9 and needs points in the worst way after a rough stretch. They have enough special teams juice to hang around, especially at home, and they are not priced like a true longshot here.
The early number makes San Jose a small road favorite (around -115) with Chicago close behind (around -104). The total is sitting at 6.0, which is always a key number in this building depending on who starts in net and how the game is called.
San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds
These are the current betting lines, but bettors should keep tracking the latest NHL odds in case goalie news or late scratches move the moneyline or the total.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose Sharks | -115 | -1.5 (+211) | 6.0 (O -120 / U -101) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | -104 | +1.5 (-266) | 6.0 (O -120 / U -101) |
San Jose Sharks Betting Form
San Jose has been competitive lately even when results have not fully followed. The 3-2 loss to Calgary is a good example: they generated enough looks to stay live, and they got high-end goaltending for long stretches. That matters for betting because it keeps the Sharks from getting buried by game state when the first goal goes against them.
The profile that translates is special teams and game management. San Jose’s power play production is a real lever in a matchup where penalties can swing the entire handicap. They also block shots at a strong rate, which can quietly suppress rebound chaos and protect leads when they go into a defensive shell.
If you want the broader snapshot, the best place to track it is their San Jose Sharks stats and results. On the availability side, the list is not light, and you’ll want to re-check who is actually trending toward playing: San Jose Sharks injury report.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s results have dipped, but the offense is still creating enough to make them annoying at plus price. When they get power plays, they can cash, and that keeps their game scripts closer than their 5v5 play sometimes deserves. That is why this number is tight even with Chicago coming in off losses.
At home, they tend to get more willing to trade chances, and that can pull totals upward if the game opens early. The question is whether they can defend the middle of the ice well enough to avoid spending full shifts chasing, especially against a Sharks group that is comfortable cycling and drawing penalties.
For the full recent run, their Chicago Blackhawks schedule and stats is the cleanest snapshot. Keep an eye on who actually suits up, especially with a key forward listed questionable: Chicago Blackhawks injury report.
San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Matchup Breakdown
At 5v5, this sets up like a narrow Sharks edge if they control the penalty environment. San Jose’s power play production is the single biggest separator in the matchup, and Chicago’s path to an upset looks a lot like winning the special teams battle or getting the whistle to stay mostly quiet.
The goalie layer is the swing point. Alex Nedeljkovic just handled a heavy workload, while Chicago’s crease has leaned on Spencer Knight this season. Neither starter is confirmed for Monday, so the smartest approach is treating the moneyline and total as “conditional” until the morning skate or pregame confirmation.
The total at 6.0 is playable either way depending on pace and discipline. If Chicago plays from behind, they tend to press, take risks, and force a more track-meet rhythm. If San Jose gets a lead, they can slow it down, block shots, and bleed the clock with zone time. That push-pull is exactly why 6.0 is a number you should price with goaltending and special teams in mind, not just recent scorelines. If you want a quick refresher on how to attack puck lines and totals in spots like this, the NHL betting guide is useful.
San Jose Sharks vs Chicago Blackhawks Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is still San Jose on the moneyline, but it’s not a “set it and forget it” favorite. The edge comes from the special teams ceiling and the way the Sharks can generate offense without needing pure rush scoring. If Chicago takes a couple of bad penalties, this can flip quickly.
Chicago’s case is straightforward: keep it clean, win enough faceoffs to avoid long defensive shifts, and let their power play do the heavy lifting. They can absolutely win this game, but they need the game to stay in a tight band, and they probably need the better goalie performance on the night.
On the total, I lean Over 6.0 if the expected starters are confirmed and Chicago is willing to open the game. The Blackhawks have been involved in higher-event stretches lately, and San Jose has enough finishing plus power play bite to push this toward a 4-3 type of script. If a surprise backup starts, I would reassess, because the best number here is the one you bet with the right goalie information.
Best Bet: San Jose Sharks moneyline (-115)
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re building a full card, start with the NHL picks page to compare sides, totals, and market consensus across the slate. It’s also a good way to see how pricing shifts when goalie confirmations hit.
For long-term tracking, the best handicappers page and the leaderboard make it easy to separate hot streak noise from consistent ROI. When you want to follow those edges more aggressively, you can also buy picks and line it up with the matchup library in the NHL previews hub. If your focus is futures or you’re starting to position around the stretch run, the Stanley Cup betting guide is a strong framework for timing and pricing.

