The Chicago Blackhawks and the first-year-franchise Vegas Golden Knights face off at T-Mobile Arena in a Western Conference matchup. It’s the third time these teams have met in the regular season. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the matchup, and the puck drops at 10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vegas Golden Knights Odds
With a -205 moneyline, Vegas enters the game as the obvious favorite. The line for Chicago sits at +175 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -105 money on the over and -115 on the under.
Earning 19.1 units for moneyline bettors, Vegas is 36-19 straight up (SU) overall thus far. Of the teams 55 games this season, 31 have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 19-6 SU at home this season.
The Golden Knights have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated seventh overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all penalties.
The Golden Knights, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.2 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five matchups home outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .932 save percentage and 28.5 saves per game, Marc-Andre Fleury (16-8-2) has been the best goalkeeper for the Knights this season. If the Knights, however, decide to give him a rest, the team might go with Malcolm Subban (12-4-4 record, .912 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
Jonathan Marchessault and David Perron will each spearhead the attack for the Golden Knights. Marchessault (54 points) has tallied 20 goals and 34 assists and has recorded two or more points on 17 different occasions this year. Perron has 13 goals and 36 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 35 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 24-32 straight up (SU) and has lost 11.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 29 of its games have gone under the total, while 23 have gone over and just three have pushed. The Blackhawks are 12-17 SU as an away team this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 12th overall and it’s successfully defended 82.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 2.9 per game over their past ten contests. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-12-2 record, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blackhawks, the offense will run through Patrick Kane, who’s got 32 assists and 21 goals this year.
Chicago Blackhawks at Vegas Golden Knights Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Golden Knights, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Over Vegas last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- Chicago has averaged 2.8 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 1.7 goals per contest over its last six games (0-6 SU over that span).
- Power-play opportunities may prove to be key in tonight’s matchup. The Blackhawks are 18-15 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 17-19 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Golden Knights are 12-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 26-13 when their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Vegas might hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The teams 16-10 in games decided by one goal, while Chicago is 8-13 in such games.
- The over has hit in four of Vegas last five games.
- Vegas is ranked 16th this season with 9.2 giveaways per game. That figure has improved, however, as the teams averaged 7.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 giveaways over its last five.
- Chicago is ranked 11th this season with 8.6 giveaways per game. That figure has trended lower recently, however, as it’s averaged 7.1 giveaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 giveaways over its last five.
