Golden Knights vs Blackhawks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Upset In Bedard Home Debut?

The Vegas Golden Knights put their undefeated record on the line as heavy NHL odds favorites against the Chicago Blackhawks in Saturday’s Western Conference tilt.

These conference foes squared off three times last season, with Vegas winning two of the three meetings.

Will the Golden Knights take care of business once again, or can the Hawks grab a victory in their home opener? Find out in our free NHL picks for Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks on Saturday, October 21.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks odds

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks predictions

The Blackhawks got a healthy dose of reality on Thursday night as they got smoked by the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 in a game that was somehow even more lopsided than that score suggests. This loss came on the heels of Chicago’s massive 4-1 upset over the Toronto Maple Leafs, two games that conclude a long and difficult five-game road trip to start the campaign.

Connor Bedard and company finally get to make their home debut after a much needed off day on Friday, and the United Center will be full as it is a sell-out. I just think nearly 2/1 is too long of a number on the Blackhawks to pull off the upset in their home debut, especially after what should be a wake-up call from their lifeless performance against the Avs.

This number is so long because the Golden Knights started the season with a 5-0 record as the defending Cup Champions, the first team to achieve this feat since Wayne Gretzky’s 1985-86 Edmonton Oilers. Fading them in this spot is not a knock on where this team will end up at the conclusion of the regular season — they will almost certainly be in the playoff picture once again.

However, they aren’t going to go 82-0 before then, and this great start has to come to an end eventually. This team is due for regression as, at 5-on-5, they rank 14th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 28th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

Saturday could be that awaited let-down spot for Vegas, especially after a shootout victory over the Dallas Stars and 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, two teams that will be firmly in the Western Conference playoff race. Add the fact that the game is going to be in a sold-out United Center for this new-look Chicago lineup’s home debut, and it’s worth taking a shot on the underdogs in this spot.

My best bet: Blackhawks moneyline (+195 at FanDuel)

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks same-game parlay

Blackhawks ML (+195)
Bedard anytime goal (+200)
Athanasiou anytime goal (+370)

+1,939 at FanDuel

These props correlate well because, if the Hawks are to pull off the upset and presumably score multiple goals, then there aren’t many great scoring options available on this team beyond Connor Bedard and Andreas Athanasiou.

Bedard’s been a bit snake-bitten in the goal-scoring department, but the looks are there, and pucks will start to find the back of the net. In fact, he ranks sixth in the entire league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

Meanwhile, Athanasiou is, by a pretty wide margin, the second most offensively skilled player on this roster. He ranks third on the team in xGF/60 at 5-on-5, only behind Tyler Johnson who has gotten a ton of good looks net-front.

But Athanasiou is much stronger at creating his own chances than Johnson, which will be essential to scoring against this Knights blue line. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Golden Knights opened as a –255 favorite and have since been bet down to -240. I think the market will keep pushing this number down, especially considering the Bedard hype and Chicago home-debut money that will come in.

That brings us to the total, which opened at 6.5 and remains at that number. However, I would be very surprised if this doesn’t close at 6 given the great goaltending both teams have gotten thus far.

Of the 10 combined games these teams have played thus far, there have been six or fewer total goals scored nine times.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks betting trend to know

The home team is 4-1 in the past five meetings between these two clubs. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks.

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks game info

Golden Knights vs Blackhawks latest injuries

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