Islanders vs Blackhawks Prediction 12/30/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Blackhawks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 30th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders are 21-14-4 this season after they lost to Columbus by a score of 4-2 in their last game. New York led 2-1 in the third period, but they allowed three goals in the last five minutes in the heartbreaking loss. The Islanders were out shot by a total of 35-26, won 55.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Horvat and Shabanov, while Rittich stopped 31 out of 34 shots, which was a .912 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York defeated the Rangers by a score of 2-0 and the Devils by a score of 2-1. The Islanders have lost four of their last six games and they are currently second in the Metro standings with 46 points. New York has scored 2.77 goals per game and they have allowed 2.67 goals against per game, while also going 15.4% on the power play and 82.7% on the penalty kill this season. Bo Horvat has led New York with 20 goals and 12 assists, while Mathew Barzal has added 10 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is David Rittich, who is 9-4-2 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .919 save percentage this season. 

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks are 14-18-6 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 7-3 in their last game. Chicago allowed four goals in the first period and three more in the second for the lopsided loss. The Blackhawks recorded 24 shots on goal, won 46.6% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Chicago got goals from Bertuzzi, Foligno, and Kaiser, while Knight stopped five out of nine shots and Soderblom stopped 12 out of 15. 

Prior to that game, Chicago defeated the Stars by a score of 4-3, but lost to the Flyers by a score of 3-1 before that. The Blackhawks have lost seven of their last eight games and they are currently last in the Central standings with 34 points. Chicago has scored 2.76 goals per game and they have allowed 3.21 goals against per game, while also going 19.4% on the power play and 84.0% on the penalty kill this season. Connor Bedard is the leading scorer for Chicago, but he is out with an injury, while Tyler Bertuzzi has added 19 goals and 10 assists. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Spencer Knight, who is 10-11-5 with a 2.65 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this year. 

Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win

• The Islanders have lost seven of their last eight games as road favorites against Central Division opponents.
• The home team has won each of the last five games between the Islanders and Blackhawks.
• The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games at United Center following a home loss.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites.
• The Blackhawks have won the second period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents when tied after the first period.

Why the New York Islanders will win

• The Blackhawks have lost seven of their last eight night games at United Center.
• The Islanders have won four of their last five night games following a road loss.
• The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games as underdogs.
• The Islanders have covered the puck line in four of their last five night games following a road loss.
• The favorites have won the first period in four of the Blackhawks’ last five games at United Center.

Total Goals Facts

• Six of the Islanders’ last seven games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Five of the Blackhawks’ last six games as underdogs following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 17 of the Blackhawks’ last 18 games following a home loss.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last four games as favorites.

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

• Teuvo Teravainen has scored a goal in each of his last three home appearances against the Islanders.
• Nick Foligno has recorded at least one assist in four of his last five appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents at United Center.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Adam Boqvist has recorded at least one assist in each of his last three appearances against the Blackhawks.
• Bo Horvat has scored a goal in each of his last four appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blackhawks.

Islanders vs Blackhawks Prediction 

Chicago comes into this matchup trying to turn their season around, but they have lost seven of their last eight games. The Blackhawks are 7-8-3 at home this year, while the Islanders are 9-7-2 on the road. New York has won two of their last three, but they have scored two goals or fewer in five straight. I don’t trust either team to score many goals and with New York playing strong defense so far this season, I like the under in this one.

David Racey's Pick: Under 5.5