Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
These two clubs are living vastly different seasons. The Chicago Blackhawks sit rock bottom of the Central Division, while the Vegas Golden Knights are among the pacesetters in the Pacific. For the Golden Knights, there's also the matter of managing their energy ahead of a back-to-back — they’ll face the Nashville Predators the very next day.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are enduring one of the worst stretches in the league (2-7-1), a run matched only by the Philadelphia Flyers, the Boston Bruins, and the Columbus Blue Jackets. While the Bruins and the Blue Jackets might be surprise entries on that list, the Blackhawks' inclusion comes as no shock to their fans. Top pick from the 2023 draft, Connor Bedard, has had a quieter campaign than expected — just 56 points in 72 games compared to 61 in 68 last year. At this stage, the Blackhawks only seem capable of beating teams in similar disarray, like their recent 7–4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas are currently riding a four-game point streak, having dispatched the Boston Bruins (5:1), the Detroit Red Wings (6:3), and the Tampa Bay Lightning (4:2) at home before cruising past the Minnesota Wild on the road (5:1). Their last meeting with the Blackhawks also turned into a shootout, ending 7:5 in favour of the Knights. High-scoring affairs are a trend with the Knights — six of their last ten wins have seen the total go over 5.5.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights Prediction
The Vegas Golden Knights are simply a cut above and should have no trouble claiming another road win. Given their offensive firepower and the Chicago Blackhawks’ defensive issues, expect the Golden Knights to do more than enough to push this one over the total.
