Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction 1/18/25 NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, January 18th at the United Center. To formulate this prediction, we will look at: 

-The Golden Knights’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Blackhawks’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Vegas

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Chicago

-Recent betting trends in games played between Vegas and Chicago

-A summary that ties it all together produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Golden Knights and Blackhawks. 

Golden Knights on Tired Legs

Not only are the Vegas Golden Knights on tired legs but they also were knocked off on Friday night. The Golden Knights were on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes and they ended up losing 3-2. They gave up two goals in the third period and that led to the loss. Adin Hill was in goal and he wasn’t awful but also not good enough saving 25 of the 28 shots that he faced. Two games ago against the Nashville Predators it was much of the same as they ended up losing 5-3.

The Golden Knights are averaging 3.38 goals per game while their defense is giving up 2.69 goals per game. The offense is ranked 4th in the league while the defense is ranked 6th in the league. They are averaging 30.69 shots per game which is 5th in the league. Jack Eichel has scored 11 goals and added 43 assists so far this season. Ilya Samsonov is expected to start in goal for the Golden Knights he sits with an 11-5-1 record and he is averaging 2.70 goals per game. He has a save percentage of .904. 

Why the Golden Knights Will Beat the Blackhawks

•  Golden Knights have won eight of their last nine games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Blackhawks have lost each of their last four games.
• The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight night games against Western Conference opponents.
• The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as home underdogs after coming off a shootout.
• The Blackhawks have lost the second period in four of their last five home games against Western Conference opponents.

The Blackhawks Continue to be Awful

The Blackhawks are awful, there is really no other way to put it. The Blackhawks have lost four straight games and they can’t have a whole lot of confidence right now. In the last game they faced off against the Nashville Predators and they ended up losing in a shootout. Arvid Soderblom was in goal and he saved 39 of the 41 shots that he faced. The defense needs to allow fewer shots on goal. 

The Blackhawks are averaging 2.53 goals while their defense is giving up 3.42 goals per game. The offense is ranked 30th in the league while the defense is ranked 29th in the league. They are averaging only 25.13 shots per game which is 31st in the league. This is a team that has had terrible goaltending all season and their offense has not given them much of a shot. Connor Bedard has scored 13 goals and added 27 assists. Getting the start for the Blackhawks in goal will be Pytr Mrazek and they are going to need him to be lights out. 

Total Goal Facts

• Each of the Golden Knights’ last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Blackhawks’ last three games after coming off a shootout has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Eight of the last nine Saturday night games between teams from different divisions have gone UNDER the total goal line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last seven games as home underdogs.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction

The Golden Knights might have tired legs but a team playing three straight games would still beat this Blackhawks team. The Blackhawks allow way too many shots on goal and that defense is going to let them down here. Vegas will get the offense out to a fast start, the Blackhawks will have no answer, and it’s going to be Vegas that will get the job done. Back the Golden Knights.