Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders Prediction 10/8/2026 Today’s NHL Picks

The Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders meet Thursday in NHL action at the UBS Arena. Here’s a Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders Prediction. This article will include a Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders Pick.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the Sabres, beat the Blues, and they play the Hurricanes next. The Blackhawks have lost 7 of their last 9 games.

The Chicago Blackhawks are averaging 2.25 goals per game and are scoring 11.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Jordan Greenway leads Chicago with 1 goal, Anton Frondell has 3 assists, and Frank Nazar has 8 shots on goal. Defensively, the Chicago Blackhawks are allowing 4.25 goals per game and are killing 63.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Spencer Knight has given up 10 goals on 92 shots faced, and Arvid Soderblom has allowed 6 goals on 32 shots.

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders lost to the Rangers, beat the Devils, and they play the Lightning next. The Islanders have lost 9 of their last 11 games.

The New York Islanders are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 18.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 2 goals, Brayden Schenn has 3 assists, and Kyle Palmieri has 8 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.33 goals per game and are killing 83.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Sorokin has allowed 2 goals on 63 shots faced, and Semyon Varlamov has given up 3 goals on 22 shots.

Why the New York Islanders will win

• The Blackhawks have lost eight of their last nine games following a win.
• The Islanders have won each of their last six Thursday night games at UBS Arena.
• The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The Islanders have covered the puck line in five of their last six night games at UBS Arena following a road loss.
• The Islanders have won the third period in five of their last six games as home favorites against Central Division opponents when trailing after the second period.

Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win

• The Islanders have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won 12 of the Islanders’ last 16 games at UBS Arena.
• The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Islanders.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites following a road loss.
• The Islanders have lost the first period in four of their last five games as home favorites following a road loss.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Blackhawks’ last five night games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Five of the Islanders’ last six games against Central Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last 13 games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last nine Thursday night games at UBS Arena.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Bo Horvat has scored a goal in five of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blackhawks.
• Mathew Barzal has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances with the Islanders as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
• Brayden Schenn has recorded 24 career assists against the Blackhawks – most against any opponent (including playoffs).

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

• Ryan Ellis has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four road appearances against the Islanders.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Islanders rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals this season (2).
• The New York Islanders rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).
• The Chicago Blackhawks rank T26th in the league for goals against per game this season (4.25).
• The Chicago Blackhawks rank T1st in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (0).

Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders Injury Report

The Islanders will be without Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov.

The Blackhawks will be without Andrew Mangiapane, Teuvo Teravainen, and Connor Bedard.

Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders Prediction

The Blackhawks are getting cooked defensively out of the gate, and even a team like the Islanders should be able to take advantage. The last four games between the Blackhawks and Islanders have produced an average of 7.25 goals. Four of the last six meetings have seen at least seven goals. We’ve got a low total, and the Blackhawks are bottom 10 in both goals allowed per game and shots allowed. I’ll take the over on Thursday night.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Over 5.5