Panthers vs Blackhawks Prediction, Picks & NHL Odds (Oct. 25)
By Juan Pablo Aravena in NHL Hockey
Published:
- I’ve made my Panthers vs Blackhawks prediction for Sunday’s matchup at United Center
- Both clubs enter on two-game losing streaks, and each was shut out once in that stretch
- Keep reading for my Panthers vs Blackhawks picks, plus the latest NHL odds and goalie news
Two teams trying to change the conversation meet Sunday afternoon in the Windy City. The Florida Panthers visit the Chicago Blackhawks with both sides on two-game skids, and neither offense has given its fans much to cheer about this week.
Florida was blanked 4-0 by Pittsburgh on Thursday, one night after a 5-1 loss in Ottawa. Chicago has been just as quiet, falling 4-1 to Montreal on Friday after a 4-0 loss to Dallas. That’s two goals combined across four losses.
Puck drop is 3 pm ET, and the season-long numbers separate these clubs more than the recent scores do. My Panthers vs Blackhawks prediction and picks are below.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Prediction
- Florida Panthers moneyline (63¢ on Kalshi)
My Panthers vs Blackhawks prediction is Florida to win. The Cats (5-4-2) have struggled to score lately, but their shot profile is far healthier than Chicago’s. Florida averages 28.1 shots per game and allows 24.4, while the Blackhawks (3-7-0) generate 21.4 and give up 30.3.
That’s roughly a seven-shot edge at both ends of the ice. Chicago has also allowed 4.00 goals per game while scoring just 2.20, a gap that’s hard to close even at home.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Key Stats
Special teams lean the same way. The Hawks’ power play has clicked at just 10.3% against a Florida penalty kill sitting at 82.6%, while Chicago’s own kill is at 76.7%. Brady Tkachuk (seven goals, four assists) gives Florida another scoring threat to test that unit.
Chicago does have pieces up front. Connor Bedard has two goals and two assists in four games, while Patrick Kane and Anton Frondell each have six points. Still, a 63¢ position on Florida is a fair price for the better team. The Panthers have conceded 3.09 goals per game, so I’m keeping this to the moneyline rather than asking them to cover a puck line.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Picks
My additional Panthers vs Blackhawks picks target Florida’s top skaters. Matthew Tkachuk’s passing and Sam Reinhart’s shooting give me two different ways to attack Chicago’s defensive struggles without needing the Panthers to win by multiple goals.
- Matthew Tkachuk Over 0.5 Assists (-125 at BetMGM)
Matthew Tkachuk has 12 assists and three goals through 11 games. That’s more than one helper per night, and he faces a Chicago team allowing 30.3 shots and 4.00 goals per game.
Florida’s offense has stalled the last two nights, but I trust Tkachuk’s season-long playmaking over a two-game sample. A soft Chicago defensive group is the right spot for him to get back on the scoresheet.
- Sam Reinhart Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (+110 at BetMGM)
Wrapping up my Panthers vs Blackhawks picks, I’m going over on Sam Reinhart’s shots. He has 35 shots through 11 games, an average of 3.18, while playing more than 20 minutes per night.
The Panthers vs Blackhawks matchup gives Reinhart room to maintain that volume. Chicago allows 30.3 shots per game, and Florida’s stronger shot differential supports another busy afternoon for one of its main shooters.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Odds
Game prices from Kalshi and player props from BetMGM, checked Oct. 25. The props are listed as 1+ assists and 3+ shots, respectively. New users can check out the Kalshi promo code before trading on Sunday’s NHL slate.
Each contract price works as a rough implied probability. Florida at 63¢ translates to about a 63% chance, while Chicago at 38¢ implies roughly 38%. Those numbers show where traders have set the market, not a guaranteed outcome.
The Panthers vs Blackhawks odds on the total lean slightly under, with Under 6.5 at 54¢ against 47¢ for the Over. Florida covering -1.5 sits at 41¢, about a 41% implied shot. Compare more lines on our NHL Odds page.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Goalies and Injuries
The latest NHL.com projected lineup report has Akira Schmid expected to start for Florida. Chicago could turn to Soderblom in the crease, though neither starter has been confirmed.
Jacob Markstrom remains injured for the Panthers, while Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand are also unavailable. Those absences put more responsibility on the Tkachuks and Reinhart, and make the Panthers vs Blackhawks goalie news worth revisiting before puck drop.
Panthers vs Blackhawks Game Info
The Panthers and Blackhawks face off Sunday, Oct. 25 at United Center in Chicago. Puck drop is set for 3 pm ET.
Juan Pablo is a sports writer and betting analyst with over 15 years' experience in the industry. He is an expert in European and Latin American soccer, as well as NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, college sports, and EuroLeague. He was born and raised in Chile and is fluent in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.
