Penguins vs. Blackhawks Picks, Predictions: Can Chicago Upset Pittsburgh at Home?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off a 3-0 win in Winnipeg on Saturday night and have a date in Chicago on Sunday. The Pens have now won two straight games. Will they make it three? Read on in our Penguins-Blackhawks picks.
The Blackhawks were on the losing end of a 6-1 drubbing in Boston on Saturday night. They’ll return home and retire Marian Hossa’s number 81 prior to hosting the Penguins.
Here are my NHL picks and predictions for Sunday’s Penguins-Blackhawks matchup (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Game Info
Date: Sunday, Nov. 20, 7 p.m. ET
TV: SN, NBCSCH, ATTSN-PT
Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Odds
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Odds Analysis
The Penguins opened at -192 and the odds remain around there at Fox Bet (-189) and DraftKings (-190). However, they’re as high as -200 (BetMGM) and -220 (FanDuel). The line could continue to move that way as the Pens have received 95% of the cash and two-thirds of the tickets.
In turn, the Blackhawks are between +160 (DraftKings) and +176 (FanDuel) after opening at +158.
The total opened at 6.5 but has moved down to six at some books.
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Picks
- Moneyline: Blackhawks (+176 via FanDuel)
- Total: Under 6.5 (-115 via DraftKings)
- Prop: Jonathan Toews Over 0.5 points (-112 via FanDuel)
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Moneyline Pick
Blackhawks (+176) ★★
This is a game that the Penguins should win, but they’ve been horrible on the second half of back-to-backs this season. They’ve lost all four in this situation, including in Buffalo and Montreal - against two not-so-great teams.
The Blackhawks got blown out on Saturday night and should have some emotion behind their play tonight. It’s not a strong play on Chicago, but Pittsburgh has yet to show that it can win on no rest, especially with international travel.
The one advantage - if you can call it that - for the Blackhawks is in net. Arvid Soderblom has been solid for the Blackhawks this season with a .918 SV% and 3.03 GAA. It should be Casey DeSmith (2-4-1, 2.86 GAA, .910 SV%) in net for the Penguins.
Penguins vs. Blackhawks O/U Pick
Under 6.5 (-115) ★★★
I’ll take the Under 6.5 at only -115 rather than the Under 6 at +104 at Unibet. I’ll pay the 19 cents to avoid a push on a total of six, which is possible between these two teams.
The Blackhawks have scored the fewest goals in the league so far and the Penguins should be tired out enough to not score their usual three or four. Two solid goalies and two teams that played less than 24 hours prior should result in an Under in Chicago.
Penguins vs. Blackhawks Prop Pick
Toews Over 0.5 points (-112) ★★★
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews is off to a strong start this season with points in 11 of 17 games. He scored his eighth goal of the season with a power-play marker on Saturday night.
Toews is coming back home where he’s recorded a point in five of eight games this season. The Blackhawks may only score two or three goals, but Toews should be involved.
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Penguins-Blackhawks picks made 11/20/2022 at 2:42 a.m. ET.
