Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights prediction and best bet
The Vegas Golden Knights will beat the Chicago Blackhawks, Golden Knights 4, Blackhawks 2, in our September 29 forecast. Chicago's expected month-long absence of Connor Bedard is the strongest matchup reason, alongside Vegas' recent Stanley Cup Final appearance. Neither Vegas -1.5 (+100) nor the 5.5 total offers a sufficiently persuasive price advantage. The official betting recommendation is Pass.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights prediction and best bet
Vegas is the pick to win this 2026-27 NHL opener because its recent postseason achievement compares favorably with a Chicago attack adjusting to Bedard's absence. The Golden Knights reached the 2025-26 Stanley Cup Final, with Mitch Marner leading those playoffs in scoring. Chicago instead enters with Frank Nazar projected to take the No. 1-center assignment.
The best betting decision is Pass. Choosing Vegas to win requires less conviction than backing a victory by two or more goals at -1.5 (+100). Our six-goal forecast also favors the Over directionally, but that modest lean falls short of justifying Over 5.5 (-130). Neither wager earns a recommendation merely by matching the projected result.
Odds, game time and how to watch
Date and time: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 10:30 p.m. ET, according to both current NHL.com matchup reports.
Broadcast: ESPN; NHL.com's Chicago report also lists TVAS2. Matchup: Chicago at Vegas in the teams' 2026-27 regular-season opener.
SportsJaw moneyline: Chicago +210; Vegas -250.
SportsJaw puck line: Chicago +1.5 (-120); Vegas -1.5 (+100).
SportsJaw total: Over 5.5 (-130); Under 5.5 (+106).
Projected personnel: NHL.com places Nazar between Roman Kantserov and Patrick Kane on Chicago's top line. Bedard is expected to miss at least the first month.