Penguins vs Blackhawks Prediction, Odds & Picks (Feb. 15)

• The Pittsburgh Penguins battle the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday evening
• Rookie phenom Connor Bedard could make his return to the Blackhawks’ lineup
• Below, see our Penguins vs Blackhawks prediction, along with odds and picks

The Chicago Blackhawks could welcome star rookie Connor Bedard back into the lineup when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday evening. Puck drop is slated for 8:30 PM ET in the Windy City.

The Thursday NHL odds list the Blackhawks as significant home underdogs against the Penguins at United Center. The over/under is set at 5.5 for the second edition of Bedard vs Crosby.

Let’s delve into our Penguins vs Blackhawks prediction as we analyze the odds and offer you our best NHL picks.

Penguins vs Blackhawks Odds

In the Blackhawks vs Penguins odds, Pittsburgh is the heavy -200 moneyline favorite, giving them a 67% implied probability of victory.

These two teams have already played once this year, with Chicago prevailing in Connor Bedard’s NHL debut.

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Odds as of February 15th, 2024, at BetMGM Sportsbook. Sign up to wager on Pens vs Blackhawks with the BetMGM promo code.

Pens vs Blackhawks will be broadcast on local TV networks, SN-PIT & NBCSCH, plus on Sportsnet 360 in Canada.

Penguins Betting Trends

The Pittsburgh Penguins have found it challenging to win games when they’re not playing at home. They’re looking to change their fortune and snap a five-game losing streak on the road as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks this Thursday.

The Penguins are eager to bounce back after a tough 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers at home on Wednesday. Despite their efforts, success during power plays has been elusive, with no goals from four attempts against the Panthers and only eight successful power plays out of 57 attempts since the new year began.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn0VzNxL0YI

There was more concern for the Penguins as Jake Guentzel left Wednesday’s game with a possible injury. Losing Guentzel would be a significant blow for a struggling offense that has scored three goals or fewer in 11 straight games.

Pittsburgh’s NHL projected starting goalie for Thursday is Alex Nedeljkovic, who is 8-4-3 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.63 GAA. This start hasn’t been confirmed but is highly likely due to Tristan Jarry starting (and struggling) Wednesday night against Florida.

Blackhawks Betting Trends

The Chicago Blackhawks are going through a rough patch, having lost seven games in a row, making them the team with the lowest standings in the league since they last beat Pittsburgh in the season’s first game.

The Blackhawks are struggling to score, evidenced in their recent game against the Vancouver Canucks, where they managed their first shot on goal only in the last minute of the first period. Defenseman Seth Jones voiced his frustration over the team’s performance, hinting at a need for a more straightforward approach in offensive play.

Not much has gone right for Chicago this season, as they rank in the bottom five in the NHL in both goals scored (2.08) and goals against (3.51). Their penalty kill has been somewhat efficient at 77%, which is good news facing the Penguins’ 30th-ranked power play.

Chicago’s projected starting NHL goalie for Thursday is Petr Mrazek, who is 12-21-2 with a save percentage. Mrazek’s struggles in the Blackhawks’ crease are reason to tread lately when considering a wager on the underdog Thursday.

Connor Bedard Injury Update

Good news for Chicago bettors, as there are reports that Bedard and the Blackhawks are exploring the possibility of his returning to the lineup tonight against the Penguins. Bedard has been out since early January, recovering from jaw surgery after suffering a fractured jaw.

Bedard returning Thursday would be slightly ahead of schedule, as his initial timeline for return was 6-8 weeks. The 19-year-old has been skating and ramping up activities over the past couple of weeks but has not yet been cleared for contact.

Sounds like Connor Bedard will indeed make a surprise early return against the Penguins tonight. Can’t wait to hear the crowd reaction.

As of Monday, Luke Richardson thought Bedard wouldn’t be available until next week. We’ll find out later what changed.

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) February 15, 2024

Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson has said multiple times they will be very cautious with bringing Bedard back and won’t rush him, wanting to ensure he is fully ready to return safely. However, it appears he WILL be in the lineup Thursday.

Bedard’s return is significant, as the young phenom is still the current favorite in the Calder odds. Through 39 games, he leads all Chicago skaters with 15 goals and 18 assists.

Penguins vs Blackhawks Prediction

When it comes to our Penguins vs Blackhawks prediction, it’s fairly clear which team is the right side on paper. The Penguins have a 53.38 xGF% over the past 10 games, while the Blackhawks have a 43.23 xGF% in that same span.

The question becomes whether or not Connor Bedard’s return can spark the Blackhawks at home. Chicago sports a decent 10-13-2 mark at United Center, while the Penguins are just 10-11-4 on the road.

Ultimately, while Bedard’s return is impactful, we don’t trust Chicago’s defense and goaltending. Pittsburgh is surprising 7-1 in their last eight games on 0 days’ rest, and they’ll be motivated following an ugly performance vs Florida. Bet on the Pens exacting revenge on Chicago.

• Pick: Penguins -1.5 (+125)