The Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers meet Tuesday in NHL action at the Amerant Bank Arena. Here’s a Panthers vs Blackhawks Prediction. This article will include a Panthers vs Blackhawks Pick.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks haven’t made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season and begin the Jeff Blashill era. Blashill hasn’t been a head coach since 2021-22, and he won 44.7 percent of his games in 7 years with the Red Wings.
The Blackhawks are a young team that’s hoping it can take the next step in its growth. Connor Bedard is obviously the star, who shined as a rookie but did experience somewhat of a sophomore slump last year and hopes to get back on track. Frank Nazar has shown flashes through 56 games and looks to be a strong running mate with Bedard. Sam Rinzel shined in 9 games he played last season, and there’s serious hype about what he could do in an expanded role. The same could be said for Artyom Levshunov, who had 6 points in 18 games. You could also do worse than a goalie combination of Drew Commesso and Arvid Soderblom.
The Blackhawks have the talent, and it’s time they start creating habits to win games. However, there’s sure to be a lot of growing pains, as most of the key players on this roster are extremely young. Don’t expect the playoff drought to end, but the Blackhawks should be able to increase its point total for a third straight year.
Florida Panthers Betting Preview
The Florida Panthers are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions and enter year 4 under coach Paul Maurice. The Panthers look to three-peat for the first time since the New York Islanders in the 80s.
The Panthers did a fine job of retaining the core that has lifted the trophy two straight seasons, as they resigned Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand. Sergei Bobrovsky remains in net and seems to play his best when the lights are most bright. At full strength, the Panthers seem to be the team to beat yet again. The coaching, depth and know how to win puts Florida back in the mix.
However, injuries to Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk do raise concerns, as they’re two of the Panther’s top players and will be out for an extended period. You also have to question fatigue, as the Panthers have played nonstop hockey for the last 3 seasons. At some point, you’d assume the grind will catch up to them.
Why the Florida Panthers will win
- The Panthers have won each of their last eight home games against the Blackhawks.
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last six night games at Amerant Bank Arena.
- The Panthers have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven road openers.
- The Panthers have won the second period in 13 of their last 14 games against Central Division opponents at Amerant Bank Arena when leading after the first period.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The Blackhawks have won each of their last three games as road underdogs.
- The Blackhawks have covered the puck line in each of their last four games.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four home games against Central Division opponents.
- In each of the Blackhawks’ last four games, the team trailing after the first period has won the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Panthers’ last six night games against Central Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Blackhawks’ last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Panthers’ last seven games.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Blackhawks’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Florida Panthers ranked 7th in the league for goals against per game last season (2.72).
- The Florida Panthers ranked 1st in the league in penalty minutes last season (843).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranked 31st in the league for goals against per game last season (3.56).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranked 26th in the league for goals per game last season (2.73).
Panthers vs Blackhawks Injury Report
The Blackhawks will be without Shea Weber and Laurent Brossoit. Landon Slaggert and Alex Vlasic are considered day-to-day.
The Panthers will be without Aleksander Barkov and Tomas Nosek. Anton Lundell and Aaron Ekblad are considered day-to-day.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Prediction
The Blackhawks are worth a look at the big plus money, as there’s talent on this roster, and the Panther’s injury report does create some appeal. It wouldn’t be shocking at all to see the Panthers get off to a slow start. It’s also ring and banner night, which can sometimes create a hangover. With all of that said, the Blackhawks are still wet behind the ears and I don’t trust them against upper tier teams until they start to build winning habits.
There’s still guys on this Panthers roster who can shoulder the load until they get right health wise, and they’ve been a buzz saw at home over the last 3 years. I’ll side with the Panthers and the PL to start off the 2025-26 NHL season.