The Chicago Blackhawks host the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference tilt Sunday evening.
Vegas has dominated this matchup over the past few years, and my Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks predictions expect this trend to continue.
Read on for my NHL picks for Sunday, January 4.
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks prediction
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks best bet: Golden Knights -1.5 (-110)
There is not a single area in which the Vegas Golden Knights are not superior to the Chicago Blackhawks, especially considering Connor Bedard remains on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Chicago forward Frank Nazar also joins him on the injured list, and the team enters this contest on the second half of a back-to-back, making its uphill battle even more difficult.
Vegas is the better team in all three zones, outranking the Blackhawks in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), and expected goal share. The Golden Knights also win more faceoffs, take fewer penalties, and are strong on special teams.
That leaves goaltending, which is yet another advantage for Vegas in this matchup. With Spencer Knight having started the previous night, Chicago is expected to turn to backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom.
Arguably one of the league’s weakest netminders, Soderblom carries a .873 SV% and a 4.02 GAA through 13 appearances this season. Meanwhile, Carter Hart is expected to start for the Golden Knights.
Hart has had his own struggles, but he still outranks Soderblom in both of those categories.
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
If Vegas is to win this game by multiple goals, it will need goal production. There may not be a better candidate than Pavel Dorofeyev, who leads the team in goals and has scored in five of the Golden Knights’ past 11 games.
There is also a strong correlation with Tomas Hertl recording an assist, given that he centers the second line alongside Dorofeyev and has assisted on two of Dorofeyev’s past three goals.
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks SGP
- Golden Knights -1.5
- Pavel Dorofeyev anytime goal
- Tomas Hertl 1+ assists
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks odds
- Moneyline: Vegas -275 | Chicago +220
- Puckline: Vegas -1.5 (-110) | Chicago +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-110) | Under 6 (-110)
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks trend
Vegas has won by two or more goals in two of the past three meetings between these two teams. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Golden Knights vs Blackhawks
| Location | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date | Sunday, January 4, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Vegas 34, CHSN |
Golden Knights vs Blackhawks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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