Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Player Props, Picks and Predictions

We have your Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the road to face the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (23-20-7) are set to face off against the Chicago Blackhawks (14-36-3) in a clash of contrasting fortunes. With the Penguins aiming to snap a three-game losing streak and the Blackhawks desperate to end a seven-game slide, this matchup at the United Center promises high stakes for both teams.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds Info

Moneyline: Pittsburgh Penguins -200 (FanDuel) / Chicago Blackhawks +180 (DraftKings)

Puck Line: +1.5 – Pittsburgh Penguins +126 (FanDuel) / Chicago Blackhawks -142 (DraftKings)

Total: 5.5 – +102 (FanDuel) / -115 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Feb. 15

Time: 08:30 PM

Location: United Center – Chicago, IL

TV: ESPN+

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends

This season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 19 overs and 31 unders.
On the road this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 10 overs and 15 unders.
As the favorite this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have hit 12 overs and 18 unders.

Chicago Blackhawks Betting Trends

This season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 22 overs and 31 unders.
At home this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 12 overs and 13 unders.
As the underdog this season, the Chicago Blackhawks have hit 21 overs and 30 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last two seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks have faced each other three times, with the Blackhawks emerging victorious in two of those encounters. Interestingly, the visiting team has clinched all three games, indicating a trend where home-ice advantage did not play a significant role. When it comes to betting statistics, the Blackhawks have covered the spread twice, while the Penguins have done so once. In terms of the over-under bets, the total score has exceeded the predicted threshold twice, indicating a tendency towards higher-scoring games, while only once has the total score fallen short of the over-under line. Key statistics from these matchups show a competitive edge in shots on goal, with the Penguins averaging 35.67 shots and the Blackhawks averaging 31.67 shots over the three games. The Penguins have also been slightly more disciplined, averaging 3.67 penalties per game compared to the Blackhawks’ 4.33. Faceoff wins have been in favor of the Penguins, who have won an average of 36.33 faceoffs per game, while the Blackhawks have won 23.67.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on October 10, 2023, and ended with a 4-2 victory for the Chicago Blackhawks. Despite being the underdogs with a closing moneyline of +203, the Blackhawks managed to outscore the Penguins, who were the favorites with a closing moneyline of -255. The game saw the Penguins dominate in faceoffs, winning 67.8% of them, and also leading in blocked shots and hits, with 19 in each category. However, the Blackhawks were more efficient in scoring, converting their shots into goals with a final tally of 4 goals on 36 shots. The Penguins’ efforts translated into 2 goals on 41 shots. The Blackhawks’ goaltender, Petr Mrazek, had an impressive night with a save percentage of 0.951, stopping 39 out of 41 shots, while the Penguins’ Tristan Jarry saved 32 out of 36 shots, with a save percentage of 0.914. The game ultimately favored the Blackhawks, who not only won outright but also covered the spread and contributed to the under result, as the total score of 6 fell below the closing over-under of 6.5.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Predictions

The Penguins, currently seventh in the Metropolitan Division, are looking to turn their fortunes around on the road, where they’ve posted a 10-11-4 record. Despite their recent struggles, the Penguins boast a roster highlighted by the prolific Sidney Crosby, who leads the team with 52 points, and Jake Guentzel, whose playmaking abilities have earned him 30 assists. Pittsburgh’s offense, however, will need to step up, as they’ve been averaging a mere 2.2 goals in their last ten games, a downturn that they’re eager to reverse against the Blackhawks.

Chicago, sitting at the bottom of the Central Division, has had a season to forget, with a league-worst record and a -76 scoring differential. The Blackhawks will be looking to their top performers, such as Jason Dickinson, who leads the team with 16 goals, and Philipp Kurashev, with a team-high 28 points, to ignite their offense. The Blackhawks’ defense has been porous, conceding an average of 2.8 goals per game in their last ten outings, which could be an area the Penguins exploit to gain an edge in this encounter.

This game also features a subplot of goaltending duels and special teams battles. The Penguins’ power play has been lackluster, converting at a rate of 8-for-57 since the start of 2024, and they’ll be facing a Blackhawks team that has struggled to find consistency in net. With both teams eager to change their narratives, key matchups to watch include the faceoff circle, where Pittsburgh has shown dominance, and the penalty kill units, as both teams look to capitalize on man-advantage situations.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Pick

The decision to pick ‘Over’ is influenced by the offensive capabilities of both teams, particularly the Pittsburgh Penguins, who, despite their recent slump, have the firepower to exploit the Blackhawks’ defensive weaknesses. The Blackhawks, on the other hand, have shown they can score against the Penguins, as evidenced by their previous encounter. With both teams desperate to break their losing streaks, a more open and aggressive game is expected, leading to more scoring chances and, consequently, goals. The Penguins’ need to bounce back and the Blackhawks’ desire to prove themselves against a higher-ranked opponent set the stage for a high-scoring affair.

Historically, these matchups have tended to go over the predicted threshold, with two out of the last three games exceeding the over-under line. The Penguins’ average of 35.67 shots per game over these encounters suggests they create enough opportunities to score, and if they can convert these chances against a struggling Blackhawks defense, it will push the total score higher. Additionally, the Blackhawks’ recent performance against the Penguins, where they managed to score four goals, indicates they can contribute to the tally as well. Considering these factors, the ‘Over’ pick seems justified for this matchup.

The Pick: Over 5.5 -115 (BetMGM)

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.