Golden Knights vs Blackhawks Picks and Predictions: Vegas Comes Up Short

After an emotionally draining shootout loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday — that made an already difficult path to the playoffs even harder — the Vegas Golden Knights had to hop on a plane and fly from Dallas to Chicago to take on the Blackhawks on Wednesday. 

The Golden Knights face a rested Blackhawks team coming off a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Even though Vegas is favored, this has upset written all over it. 

Can Chicago upend the Golden Knights or will Vegas find a way to hang on to their increasingly slim playoff hopes and get their first victory in four games? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

The Golden Knights opened at -200 but it has gone up as high as -227 at several sportsbooks. The Blackhawks began at +165 but are up to +180 at Caesars Sportsbook. The total opened at 5.5 and jumped to 6.5, with the Over at -110 and the Under at +110.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks predictions

• Prediction: Blackhawks ML (+185)
• Prediction: Over 6.5 (+110)
• Best bet: Blackhawks score first (+135)

Predictions made on 4/27/2022 at 12:15 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks game info

• Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
• Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2022
• Puck drop: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ATTSN-RM, NBCS-CHI

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks betting preview

Key injuries

Golden Knights: Reilly Smith F (Out), Robin Lehner G (Out), Laurent Brossoit G (Out), Nolan Patrick C (Out), Keegan Kolesar F (Out), Nic Hague D (Out), Brent Howden C (Out).
Blackhawks: Kirby Dach F (Out), Mackenzie Entwistle F (Out), Connor Murphy D (Out), Jujhar Khaira F (Out), Andrew Shaw F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks head-to-head record since 2019

Golden Knights: 4-2 SU, 20 goals for.
Blackhawks: 2-4 SU, 16 goals for.

Betting trend to know

The Golden Knights are 1-5 in their last six games played on zero day’s rest. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks picks and predictions

Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.

Moneyline analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights managed to stay alive for a playoff spot but just barely. Now, on no day’s rest, they play the Chicago Blackhawks, who haven’t played since Monday’s 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. 

The Golden Knights controlled their own destiny four days ago, but two consecutive shootout losses left two precious points on the table. They now have to win out and hope the Arizona Coyotes, who have lost 10 of their last 11, can upset Dallas on Wednesday.

That despair should carry over to the Golden Knights' game tonight with the Blackhawks. Vegas is a heavy favorite but there are several indicators that Chicago will pull off the upset. 

The first is the obvious disappointment of Vegas players knowing their chances of reaching the playoffs are slim. It will be difficult for the team to get motivated knowing they can’t control their postseason fortunes. 

The second factor is the Golden Knights having to play in consecutive days. On the season, the team is 1-5 on the second end of a back-to-back. 

The third issue is Vegas goalie Logan Thompson. The team’s backup is now the starter with Robin Lehner done for the season. Thompson has had to play three games in six days, including two devastating shootout losses. Will his fourth game be the one that wears him out? 

As bad as Chicago has been all season, the Blackhawks have been playing decently as of late, winning two of their last four games. 

Look for Chicago to take advantage of a tired — emotionally and physically — Golden Knights team.  

Prediction: Blackhawks ML (+180 at Caesars)

Over/Under analysis

When these teams get together, they tend to run up the score. In 15 games — including the 2020 playoffs — the Over has gone 10-5. That trend should continue on Wednesday. 

Neither team is stellar on the defensive end. The Golden Knights are 14th in goals against, averaging 2.94 a game. Chicago is 26th in GAA at 3.54. With Vegas goalie Logan Thompson playing in his fourth consecutive game, look for him to falter. He has a decent GAA at 2.59 and a save percentage of .918, but he has looked shaky in the last four games, allowing 12 goals on 110 shots (.891 SV%). 

Blackhawks goalie Kevin Lankinen is near the bottom of the league in GAA at 3.53 and his save percentage ranks 51st at .890. 

There is enough scoring potential on both sides to kick this total Over 6.5 goals even if the Golden Knights are 13th in the league, averaging 3.15 goals per game, and Chicago is 27th at 2.60. 

Still, both teams are trending towards the Over. The Golden Knights are 5-1 on the Over as a favorite. Chicago has hit the Over in its last five games as a home underdog. 

Prediction: Over 6.5 goals (-110 at BetRivers)

Best bet

In their last seven games, the Golden Knights have scored the first goal only once. Last night was the first time they scored first since April 9 when they faced the lowly Coyotes. 

Playing less than 24 hours after their emotionally draining shootout loss to Dallas could cause the Golden Knights to come out flat, at least in the first period. 

Conversely, Chicago has two days’ rest and has been jumping out to early leads on occasion. In their last four games, the Blackhawks have scored the first goal in two of them.  

At +135 for Chicago to score first, the value is there, especially against a demoralized Vegas squad. 

Pick: Blackhawks to score first (+135 at DraftKings)

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