Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Picks and Predictions – Saturday, January 10, 2026
The Chicago Blackhawks head to Bridgestone Arena to face the Nashville Predators on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in a Central Division matchup that’s tighter in the standings than most people probably assume. These teams are separated by one point, and that’s part of why this spot matters. Nashville gets an extra day of rest at home, while Chicago comes in on the second half of a back-to-back.
Nashville is trending up, winning seven of its last 10 and coming off a home win that felt more like a survival game than a track meet. Chicago had been rolling with a four-game win streak, got Connor Bedard back, then ran into a stomach bug situation that hit the lineup and the goaltending room. They lost 5-1, and now they have to turn around and do it again on the road.
Start time and broadcast details weren’t included with the draft, but the betting setup is clear. You’ve got the steadier team at home with rest, and a road team dealing with fatigue and availability questions.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators 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 | +180 | +1.5 (-240) | O 6.5 (+110) / U 6.5 (-130) |
| Nashville Predators | -220 | -1.5 (+205) | O 6.5 (+110) / U 6.5 (-130) |
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Form
Chicago’s form is tricky to read because the last game came with a big asterisk. They had won four straight, got Bedard back in the lineup, then a stomach bug ran through the room and it showed. Two goalies were ill, Drew Commesso had to step in, and the whole game had that low-energy feel where nothing is crisp. That’s not an excuse, but it is context, because it directly impacts how you should treat the most recent result.
From a betting perspective, the bigger issue is what carries into Saturday. Even if guys suit up, you can get that “we’re here but we’re not 100%” look, and that’s brutal on the second night of a back-to-back. It usually shows up in the third period first. Slower changes, lost wall battles, stick penalties. Those are the small things that turn a competitive underdog into a team that gets pinned.
If you want to track how Chicago has been performing in recent games and on the road, the Chicago Blackhawks stats and results page is the quick reference. Availability matters even more than usual here, so monitor the Chicago Blackhawks injury report before puck drop.
Nashville Predators Betting Form
Nashville is in a good spot. They’ve won seven of their last 10, they’re 11-9-2 at home, and they just banked a win where Juuse Saros had to be excellent. That kind of game matters for bettors because it suggests the Predators can win even when the legs are not perfect or the offense isn’t flowing. They can lean on goaltending and stay patient.
The other thing I like is the situational edge. Nashville gets the extra rest day, and they’re facing a divisional opponent that played Friday and is dealing with illness questions. That’s the type of schedule setup where a home favorite often starts strong, because they can play with pace early and make the tired team defend before it’s settled.
For home splits and recent game logs, the Nashville Predators schedule and stats page helps. And because rest and lineup clarity can swing the handicap, keep an eye on the Nashville Predators injury report before you bet.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is all about game state. Nashville is comfortable winning a lower-event game, and Saros gives them a safety net when things get messy. Chicago’s best path is usually to hang around early, keep it close, and let Bedard and the top guys create something on the rush. That gets harder if the Blackhawks are short-handed physically, or if the bench is thinner than normal because of illness.
Special teams can decide it quickly. When you’re tired, you take more penalties, and when you’re tired and sick, you take the really bad ones, offensive-zone hooks, lazy trips, stick infractions on the forecheck. Nashville doesn’t need a huge number of chances to turn that into a lead. If the Predators score first, they can make the game feel like it’s being played on their terms.
A few edges I keep circling:
- Nashville rest advantage vs Chicago back-to-back fatigue
- Chicago availability uncertainty, especially at goalie and depth roles
- Saros stabilizing Nashville in a game that could get sloppy late
If you want a sharper framework for turning those schedule and special teams notes into actual bets, the NHL betting guide is useful. And for the bigger picture on why some teams get priced more aggressively when they’re climbing, the Stanley Cup betting guide helps with understanding market tax.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Nashville Predators Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Nashville on the moneyline, assuming the price is not completely out of control once you see it. The situational setup is strong, home ice, extra rest, and a road opponent dealing with fatigue and illness questions. That’s the type of spot where you usually want the steadier team, not the one trying to survive.
I’m also watching the total, but it’s hard to be definitive without the number. If Chicago’s lineup is compromised and Nashville controls pace, you can get a lower-event game where the Predators win something like 3-1 or 3-2. On the other hand, if the Blackhawks have goalie instability again, or if the tired legs create penalties and odd-man rushes, totals can climb in a hurry. This is one where I’d rather let goalie confirmation and the posted total guide the final decision.
Puck line depends on price. Nashville can win by margin in this spot, but if they’re playing a protect-the-lead style after going ahead, you can end up with a one-goal finish even when the game feels controlled. That’s a common way to lose -1.5 bets.
Best Bet: Nashville Predators Spread
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL daily, the edge is rarely one opinion. It’s comparing reads, watching timing, and not getting trapped by stale numbers, especially in spots like this where goalie news and late availability can flip the market. Checking today’s NHL picks is a good way to see how multiple handicappers are approaching the same slate.
ScoresAndStats keeps everything transparent, too. You can compare different styles on the top sports handicappers page, validate long-term performance on the handicapper leaderboard, and if you want more volume beyond the free board, you can buy expert picks and keep your card organized. For more matchup breakdowns in this exact format, the NHL previews hub is the clean way to track the board.


