| MATCHUP | Vegas Golden Knights | Chicago Blackhawks |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 17-11-11 | 16-18-7 |
| Where | United Center, Chicago, IL | |
| When | Sunday, January 4, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Chicago Blackhawks Preview
The Blackhawks have 37 points this season with a 16-18-7 record, and are 27-13 ATS and 18-21 in over/under. They have an 8-8-4 home record and an 8-10-3 road record and are sitting 7th in the Central Division. They are coming off a 3-2 road shootout win over the Capitals, and their previous three games were a 4-3 home win over the Stars, a 3-2 home shootout loss to the Islanders, and a 7-3 home loss to the Penguins.
Offensively, the Blackhawks are averaging 2.76 goals per game and are scoring 21.6% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.15 goals per game and are killing 83.7% of their opponent’s power plays.
Connor Bedard leads the Blackhawks with 44 points, also leading the team in goals with 19, adding a team-high 25 assists. Spencer Knight is the starting goalie for the Blackhawks, and he has a 12-11-6 record, with 2.60 GAA and .910 SV%. Arvid Soderblom is the backup goalie and he has a 4-7-1 record, with 4.02 GAA and .873 SV%.
Vegas Golden Knights Preview
The Golden Knights have 45 points this season with a 17-11-11 record, and are 11-28 ATS and 19-17 in over/under. They have an 8-6-6 home record and a 9-5-5 road record and are sitting 2nd in the Pacific Division. They are coming off a 4-3 road loss to the Blues, and their previous three games were a 4-2 home loss to the Predators, a 5-2 home loss to the Wild, and a 6-5 home shootout loss to the Avalanche.
Offensively, the Golden Knights are averaging 3.10 goals per game and are scoring 24.6% of their power play opportunities. Defensively, they are allowing 3.03 goals per game and are killing 81.1% of their opponent’s power plays.
Jack Eichel leads the Golden Knights with 41 points, while Pavel Dorofeyev leads the team in goals with 16, and Mitch Marner leads the team in assists with 31. Akira Schmid is the starting goalie for the Golden Knights, and he has a 11-4-4 record, with 2.50 GAA and .895 SV%. Carter Hart is the backup goalie and he has a 4-3-3 record, with 3.28 GAA and .876 SV%.
Vegas Golden Knights @ Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends: January 4, 2026
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Golden Knights have lost each of their last five games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blackhawks have won five of their last six games as underdogs after coming off a shootout.
- The Golden Knights have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as road favorites.
- The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The underdogs have won the second period in each of the Golden Knights’ last four games.
Why the Vegas Golden Knights will win
- The Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 11 night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The road team has won five of the Blackhawks’ last six games.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Golden Knights have covered the puck line in three of their last four road games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blackhawks have lost the second period in each of their last five home games following a road win.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Golden Knights’ last seven night games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the last four games between the Golden Knights and Blackhawks have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Golden Knights’ last eight games as favorites against Western Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last nine games as underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Teuvo Teravainen has scored a goal in each of the Blackhawks’ last three games.
- Connor Bedard has recorded at least one assist in each of his last five appearances after playing the previous day.
- Wyatt Kaiser has recorded four blocks against the Golden Knights this season – most against any opponent.
Vegas Golden Knights Player Prop Facts
- Mark Stone has scored a goal in each of the Golden Knights’ last five games as favorites.
- Jack Eichel has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances in road games.
- Jack Eichel has recorded three hits against the Blackhawks this season – most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (83.70%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank T25th in the league for goals per game this season (2.76).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 7th in the league in power play percentage this season (24.59%).
- The Vegas Golden Knights rank 2nd in the league for shots against per game this season (25.2).
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks Prediction
In their previous meeting earlier this season, Vegas won 4-3 in a shootout at home and are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against Chicago. Over is 6-1 in their last 7 meetings.
In this Golden Knights vs Blackhawks Prediction, the Golden Knights are coming as -260 road favorites. The Golden Knights have more points this season, they have been slightly better on the road and are facing a Blackhawks team that is playing their second leg of a back-to-back. But Vegas has been in a big slump lately, with a 1-7 record in its last 8 games, with their defense being terrible in that span and their last 7 games having at least 6 total goals. Both teams allow 6.18 goals per game defensively, so the best way to approach this game is taking the over 6 goals.