Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Prediction for Tuesday September 29 2026

The Chicago Blackhawks visit the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, for Opening Night of the 2026-27 NHL season. Puck drop is scheduled for 10:30 PM ET with national coverage on ESPN. Chicago finished last season 29-39-14 and missed the playoffs, while Vegas went 39-26-17, won the Pacific Division and advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. DraftKings has Vegas at -265 on the moneyline and Chicago at +215. The Golden Knights are +105 at -1.5 on the puck line, while Chicago +1.5 is -125. The total is set at 5.5 with Over 5.5 at -130 and Under 5.5 at +110. Be sure to check out our free NHL picks for more NHL predictions throughout the season.

Blackhawks Face Difficult Opening Assignment

Chicago went 29-39-14 last season, finished last in the Central Division and averaged only 2.56 goals per game, ranking 30th in the NHL. The Blackhawks also allowed 3.29 goals per game, ranking 27th.

The club made moves designed to add experience and improve both ends of the ice, but Chicago begins the season without its leading scorer from last year. That places even more pressure on the remaining forwards to produce against a Vegas team that was playing for the Stanley Cup only a few months ago.

Chicago should eventually be more competitive as its younger pieces develop, but Opening Night in Las Vegas presents one of the toughest possible tests. The Blackhawks need a significant defensive improvement just to stay within striking distance.

Golden Knights Return From Stanley Cup Final

Vegas finished 39-26-17, won the Pacific Division and reached the Stanley Cup Final before falling to Carolina. The Golden Knights therefore enter 2026-27 with considerably higher immediate expectations than Chicago.

There were changes during the offseason, including the loss of significant goal-scoring production and the arrival of a new head coach. That introduces some uncertainty, but Vegas retains the deeper and more established roster in this matchup.

The Golden Knights also have a major situational advantage at home against a Chicago team missing its leading scorer and trying to improve on bottom-five offensive and defensive rankings. The only problem with backing Vegas outright is the -265 moneyline.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Prediction

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+105)

The puck line is the better approach than laying -265. Vegas won its division and reached the Stanley Cup Final, while Chicago finished last in the Central and was among the league’s bottom teams in both goals scored and goals allowed. Chicago’s early offensive limitations make it difficult to trust the Blackhawks to keep pace if Vegas reaches four goals. Getting plus money on a two-goal Golden Knights victory provides substantially better value than the moneyline.

Pick: Over 5.5 (-130)

Chicago averaged only 2.56 goals last season, but its defense surrendered 3.29 per game. That combination leaves open a straightforward path to the over even without a major Blackhawks offensive contribution. A 4-2 or 5-1 Vegas victory is enough, and Chicago’s roster changes could create some defensive breakdowns during its first meaningful game of the season. With the number only 5.5, I’ll back Vegas to do enough offensive damage to help push this game over.

Final Picks: Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 (+105) and Over 5.5 (-130)