Chicago Blackhawks vs. Florida Panthers, Picks and Prediction, Tuesday, October 7, 2025
The 2025-26 NHL season opens up on Tuesday, October 7, as the Chicago Blackhawks are on the road to play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions Florida Panthers. Puck-drop is set for 5 p.m. ET. Continue reading for our Blackhawks vs Panthers prediction.
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Blackhawks Looking to Improve This Season
Chicago went 25-46-11 last season and finished with the second-worst record in the NHL. The Blackhawks have been rebuilding for a couple of years, and the hope is that it comes to an end soon, as Chicago is led by Connor Bedard, who has 23 goals and 44 assists in 2024-25. This offseason, the Blackhawks added the likes of forward Andre Burakovsky and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk in a rather quiet offseason. Burakovsky should help some though the 30-year-old is coming off a disappointing season with Seattle, scoring 10 goals and dishing out 27 assists in 79 games.
The Blackhawks will be starting Spencer Knight, who's Chicago's clear-cut No. 1 goalie. Knight went 17-16-3 for 2.72 GAA and a .901 SV% last season with the Panthers and Blackhawks last season, as Florida traded him to the Blackhawks at the deadline for defenseman Seth Jones. This will be his first career game against the Panthers.
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Panthers Are Back-to-Back Champions
Florida has won back-to-back Stanley Cups as the Panthers have made the Cup Final in three straight years. However, the Panthers are dealing with some injuries as captain Aleksander Barkov is likely done for the year due to an ACL and MCL injury suffered in practice, while Matthew Tkachuk is out likely until the new year. Barkov had 20 goals and 51 assists last season, while Tkachuk added 22 goals and 35 assists. With those two out, they'll need 24-year-old center Anton Lundell (17g, 28a) to step up as a first-line center. In the offseason, Florida was rather quiet after re-signing Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. The Panthers added Luke Kunin and Jeff Petry in minor moves.
The Panthers will be starting Sergei Bobrovsky, who's now 37 years old. The Russian went 33-19-2 with a 2.44 GAA and a .906 SV% last season, as he's one of the top goalies in the NHL. Bobrovsky is 17-6-2 with a 2.46 GAA and a .919 SV% in his career against the Blackhawks.
Blackhawks vs. Panthers Pick
Money Line pick for Blackhawks vs. Panthers
- Panthers -1.5 (-110) (4 units)
Although Florida has some major injuries, this is still a great spot for the Panthers to get the win. Bobrovsky is still in the net for Florida as he should limit the Blackhawks' offense, which struggled last season and will likely struggle again this year. The Panthers' offense still is good with the likes of Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, and Marchand. Florida will be able to get out to an early lead and build off that, and likely score an empty-netter en route to a multi-goal win.
Over/Under Pick for Blackhawks vs. Panthers
- Over 5.5 (-120) (4 UNITS)
The over is also a good spot here, as this seems like a 4-2, 5-2 type of win for the Panthers. Chicago struggled defensively last season, and Florida should start strong as the game is the season opener and the Stanley Cup banner raising. The Panthers should start strong and get out to an early lead to help the over. Last season, the Blackhawks were 44-32-6 in hitting the over, while Florida is 54-50-1 including playoffs, so look for the over to cash.
