Blackhawks Defeat Penguins 5-3 at United Center

What we said beforehand

The upcoming matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins at the United Center promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams look to improve their standings in the NHL. The Blackhawks come into this game with a home record of 1-5-0, while the Penguins have fared better on the road with a record of 3-2-1. This game marks the beginning of their series, which starts on October 13, 2026.

In their recent form, the Blackhawks have struggled, recording one win in their last five games. Their last five results show a loss to the Utah Mammoth (6-0), a close defeat against the Buffalo Sabres (4-3), a victory over the St. Louis Blues (4-2), and losses to the New York Islanders (4-1) and the Carolina Hurricanes (5-2). This gives them an average of 2.0 goals scored and 4.2 goals allowed in their last five games. At home, they have averaged 2.3 goals scored and allowed 4.5 goals over their last ten home games, indicating significant defensive struggles.

Conversely, the Penguins have shown some resilience, winning two of their last five games. Their recent results include a thrilling overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens (6-5), a narrow loss to the Winnipeg Jets (3-2), a defeat against the Washington Capitals (5-3), a shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-2), and a win against the Dallas Stars (2-1). The Penguins have averaged 3.0 goals scored and 3.4 goals allowed in their last five games, which is a more balanced performance compared to the Blackhawks.

When it comes to home and away performance, the Blackhawks have struggled at home, holding a record of 2-8 in their last ten games, while the Penguins have a more favorable away record of 4-6 in their last ten. The Blackhawks have lost their last two home games, while the Penguins are currently on a one-game winning streak.

In terms of head-to-head matchups, the Blackhawks have lost both meetings against the Penguins this season, with scores of 2-6 and 3-7. This adds an extra layer of pressure on the Blackhawks as they seek to turn the tide against a team that has had their number in recent encounters.

Injury concerns could also play a role in the outcome of this game. The Blackhawks will be without Frank Nazar due to suspension and Andrew Mangiapane, who is on injured reserve with a lower body injury. The Penguins are dealing with injuries to Trevor van Riemsdyk, Justin Brazeau, and Ryan Graves, all of whom are on injured reserve with lower body and knee injuries. The absence of key players could significantly impact both teams' performance.

The market has priced the Penguins as favorites, with odds from DraftKings showing Pittsburgh at -162. The spread is set at 1.5, with a total of 6.5 goals for the game. The odds for the over are -112, while the under sits at -108. The Blackhawks are listed at +136 on the moneyline, indicating their status as underdogs in this matchup.

As for conditions, the game will take place at the United Center, where the Blackhawks will look to leverage their home ice advantage despite their recent struggles. Fans should watch for the performance of key players, particularly Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins, who leads the team with three goals and five points, and Anton Frondell for the Blackhawks, who has three assists and four points.

This matchup not only provides an opportunity for the Blackhawks to break their losing streak but also for the Penguins to build on their recent success. With both teams aiming for better results, this game is set to be a compelling contest in the NHL.