Blackhawks vs Golden Knights Game 1 Odds & Pick

• The Vegas Golden Knights open up as -186 favorites in Game 1 of their series against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, August 11th
• Vegas had a whopping 14 more points than Chicago during the regular season
• See puckline, moneyline and over/under goal totals within the story below

The Chicago Blackhawks shocked the world as the 12th and final seed to get into the NHL qualifying round in the Western Conference and defeated the Edmonton Oilers in four games to earn a date with the heavily favored Vegas Golden Knights in the first round of the playoffs.

The Golden Knights vs Blackhawks odds show that despite that rousing victory over the Oilers, the Blackhawks still have a long way to go to be not only considered a favorite to win this series, but also to win the Stanley Cup for the fourth time since 2010.

In their short three-season history, one team has gotten the better of the other at a considerable rate and that also plays a part with the betting odds, not to mention that Vegas had 14 more points than Chicago this season.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Golden Knights Game 1 Odds

Odds taken August 10th

Opening odds have the Golden Knights listed as -186 favorites on the moneyline but +143 underdogs to score more than two goals than Chicago on the puckline with the over/under for goals set at 6.5.

Chicago won their qualifying series against Edmonton in four games while Vegas dominated the round robin portion, winning all three games to earn the #1 seed entering the first round.

Vegas Has Dominated Chicago

They’ve only been an NHL club for three seasons but whenever the Blackhawks are their opponent, the Golden Knights are licking their chops, having won eight of nine all-time meetings. They’ve scored 16 more goals in those games though it should be noted that Chicago’s lone victory did come this season, back in November.

The Golden Knights will open their series with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. PT on NBCSN

Here;s how the series will line up

Game 1 – 8/11
Game 2 – 8/13
Game 3 – 8/15
Game 4 – 8/16
*Game 5 – 8/18
*Game 6 – 8/20
*Game 7 – 8/22

*If necessary#VegasBorn

— Jesse Merrick (@JesseNews3LV) August 10, 2020

This marks the potential for a grudge match between Vegas’ goaltender Robin Lehner, who was unceremoniously traded from the Blackhawks this season to the Golden Knights. Lehner played in two of the three round-robin games, leading to speculation that he will start over Marc-Andre Fleury, which has led the Blackhawks to want to avoid talking about the juicy storyline.

Jeremy Colliton basically just brushed aside two questions on Robin Lehner. Blackhawks clearly don't want to talk about him much, if at all.

Focus solely on Vegas as a team.#Blackhawks

— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) August 9, 2020

Should he get the nod between the pipes, he’ll face a team that he’s lost four of five all-time meetings (1-2-2 record), though he’s had a solid .926 save percentage against them.

Both Teams Scoring Tons of Goals

The 6.5 over/under goals total could be in jeopardy by the end of the first period, if the qualifying games and round-robin are any indications, with Vegas first in scoring (five goals per game), and the Blackhawks second (four per contest). That’s before Vegas is expected to have their services of their leading scorer Max Pacioretty, who was suffering a minor injury.

Peter DeBoer says Max Pacioretty has joined the Golden Knights in the bubble, and he anticipates he will be ready to play in Game 1 of the playoffs. #VegasBorn

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) August 9, 2020

Goals have been aplenty for both these squads, and they’ve also not done a great job keeping pucks out of their own net either which will likely lead to plenty of fireworks.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Vegas Golden Knights Postseason Ranks (24 Teams)

There should be tons of goals, and with Vegas’ tremendous history against Chicago and how they steamrolled through the round-robin against much harder opponents, expect them to keep the good times rolling in Game 1 against an inferior team.

Pick: Vegas Golden Knights -186 moneyline, -1.5 puckline (+143), Over 6.5 goals (+100)