Flyers vs Blackhawks Prediction, Best Bets & Odds for December 23

• Philadelphia plays the second night of a back-to-back in Chicago as the Blackhawks look to snap a five-game losing streak
• Samuel Ersson’s struggles in net could be the opening Chicago needs to end their skid before the holiday break
• See my complete Flyers vs Blackhawks prediction for Tuesday’s matchup at United Center, plus odds and best picks

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The Flyers arrive in Chicago riding high after Monday’s 5-2 win over Vancouver, but they’re walking into a dangerous spot. Philadelphia (18-10-7) plays the second night of a back-to-back against a Blackhawks (13-16-6) team that’s lost five straight and desperate for a win at home before the holiday break.

Chicago’s been bleeding goals without Connor Bedard, giving up 17 in four games since their leading scorer went down with a shoulder injury. But playing at United Center (7-6-3) is different, and Samuel Ersson starting for Philadelphia on no rest could be the break the Blackhawks need.

Puck drop is 9:00 PM ET. Here’s my Flyers vs Blackhawks prediction for Tuesday night, along with my best picks and NHL betting odds.

Flyers vs Blackhawks Prediction

Brady Trettenero

Sports Betting Dime • December 24, 2025 at 12:36am

Pick

Odds

HomeTeam

Moneyline

NHL • Philadelphia Flyers @ Chicago Blackhawks

110 on NorthStar Bets (ON)

SCHEDULED • 12/24/2025

See all 2 picks

Betslip #1766536595188-481c-679

My Flyers vs Blackhawks prediction on Tuesday is goals from both teams in what should be a wide-open game before the holiday break. Games right before the NHL takes its Christmas pause always see more offense – players are mentally checked out defensively, thinking about travel plans and ready for a reset, but they’re pouring everything into offense.

Philadelphia generated 5.6 expected goals against Vancouver on Monday and actually scored five. Trevor Zegras, Christian Dvorak, Travis Konecny, Matvei Michkov, and Owen Tippett are all clicking right now. The Flyers have real momentum, but Ersson in net flips the script.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GOAL BY OWEN TIPPETT 🤩

📺: @SportsOnPrimeCA ➡️ https://t.co/93veFI9jrZ pic.twitter.com/payBXQQe1P

— NHL (@NHL) December 23, 2025

Ersson’s numbers represent a massive drop-off from Dan Vladar – 3.10 GAA and .867 save percentage compared to Vladar’s 2.39 GAA and .910 save percentage. That’s the kind of goaltending gap that turns a tight game into a track meet, especially against a Chicago team that just put up four goals in Ottawa despite losing 6-4.

The Blackhawks are in rough shape without Bedard and Frank Nazar (out four weeks with a facial injury), but they’re finally home after a brutal road stretch. Chicago’s given up six to Ottawa, four to Montreal, and four to Detroit in their last five games. Their defense is leaking, but they’re still generating offense – they just can’t stop anyone.

This sets up as a game where both teams contribute rather than a defensive grind. Chicago’s desperation could catch Philadelphia sleeping early, and even though the Flyers are clearly the better team on paper, the situational factors favor an entertaining game with plenty of goals.

Matchup Breakdown

Chicago holds a big edge on special teams, with their power play clicking at 21.2% compared to Philadelphia’s 16.5%. That 4.7% gap is huge, especially when the Flyers might take some undisciplined penalties playing tired on a back-to-back. The Blackhawks also kill penalties better at 84.3% versus 81.8%.

Philadelphia’s better defensively at even strength (2.69 goals against per game vs 3.03), but with Ersson in net instead of Vladar, that advantage shrinks considerably. The team save percentages are nearly identical at .892 and .898, but those season-long numbers don’t account for the goaltending mismatch tonight.

Flyers vs Blackhawks Picks

• Best Bet: Over 5.5 Goals (-110 at MGM)

I’m taking over 5.5 goals for my Flyers vs Blackhawks pick tonight. Philadelphia’s offense is rolling right now, and Ersson’s shaky goaltending on the second night of a back-to-back should give Chicago’s attack plenty of opportunities. The Blackhawks just scored four against Ottawa, and they’ll be motivated to put on a show at home before the break.

The betting public is hammering this number too – 89% of the money is on the over, which means sharp bettors see the same matchup I do. Both teams should contribute in what sets up as an open game with minimal defensive structure from tired legs and holiday distractions.

I also like Blackhawks ML at +100 as a value play. Philadelphia’s been dreadful in the second half of back-to-backs, going 1-12 in their last 13 such games. They also struggle maintaining momentum, losing their last four games that followed a victory. Chicago’s five-game skid is concerning, but they’re 7-6-3 at home and catching Philadelphia in a documented slump spot.

Player Props

Bobby Brink Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-115)

Brink’s cleared this 1.5 threshold in seven of his last eight games when Philadelphia enters as the betting favorite, averaging 2.8 shots during that stretch. Against a Chicago defense that surrenders 30.51 shots per contest – among the league’s worst marks – Brink should find plenty of opportunities to pepper Spencer Knight.

Trevor Zegras Over 0.5 Assists (+120)

Getting plus money on Zegras recording a helper is excellent value given his recent run in favorable matchups. He’s collected assists in 11 of his last 14 games when Philadelphia is favored, which translates to a 79% success rate. Facing a depleted Chicago lineup that’s bleeding defensively, Zegras should find space to create for his linemates.

Flyers vs Blackhawks Odds

The Flyers opened at -120 on the moneyline, making them slight road favorites. But laying juice on a team playing the second night of a back-to-back with their backup goalie doesn’t make sense to me. The value is on Chicago at even money, where you’re getting a home team that’s desperate to end a five-game skid.

The total at 5.5 is getting hammered by the public, with 89% of the money on the over. I’m with the crowd here – both teams should contribute offensively in what sets up as a wide-open game before the holiday break.

Philadelphia -1.5 at +200 on the puck line looks tempting for a team that just scored five, but the Flyers have dropped four straight games after victories. They don’t have the ability right now to blow out a desperate home team.

Flyers vs Blackhawks Starting Goalies

Samuel Ersson gets the start for Philadelphia after Dan Vladar played Monday. Ersson’s been struggling in a backup role with a 3.10 GAA and .867 save percentage across 13 appearances. For a Flyers team that relies on sound defensive structure and goaltending, having Ersson in net on a tough travel spot is a major liability.

Spencer Knight gets the nod for Chicago and has been one of the few bright spots during the Blackhawks’ struggles. He’s posted a 2.57 GAA and .914 save percentage across 24 starts, including two shutouts. Knight’s reliability versus Ersson’s struggles gives Chicago a real edge between the pipes.

Flyers vs Blackhawks Projected Lineups

Philadelphia Flyers

Forwards

Defense

Goalies: Samuel Ersson (starter), Dan Vladar

Chicago Blackhawks

Forwards

Defense

Goalies: Spencer Knight (starter), Arvid Soderblom

Philadelphia’s top line features their two leading scorers in Trevor Zegras (36 points) and Travis Konecny (31 points). Chicago’s lineup is severely hampered without Connor Bedard (44 points, out until January with shoulder injury) and Frank Nazar (out four weeks with facial injury). Tyler Bertuzzi (26 points) and Andre Burakovsky (23 points) now lead the offensive attack.

How to Watch Flyers vs Blackhawks

Tuesday’s game starts at 9:00 PM ET from United Center in Chicago. TNT will carry the broadcast.