The new guard faces the old guard when No. 1 draft pick Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks visit nine-time All-Star Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins to open the 2023-24 NHL season.
After missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign, Pittsburgh bolstered its roster this offseason to make another run at a Stanley Cup. Expectations aren’t nearly as high for the Blackhawks, whose rebuild continues.
Let’s get into the latest odds, break down the matchup, and offer our Blackhawks vs Penguins best bets.
Blackhawks vs Penguins Odds
NHL odds used for these Opening Night predictions are current as of Friday, Sept. 29, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Blackhawks (+190) @ Penguins -1.5 (-230)
- Puck Line: Blackhawks +1.5 (-135) @ Penguins -1.5 (+114)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-110) / Under 6.5 (-110)
Blackhawks vs Penguins Prediction
Penguins 5, Blackhawks 2
The Penguins’ championship window is close to closing, with franchise pillars Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang all in their mid to late 30s.
But they aren’t ready to let it shut entirely. Pittsburgh bought itself at least another year of contention by adding three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson.
Chicago, on the other hand, is starting fresh. The Blackhawks’ future is undoubtedly bright with Bedard, but patience will be required.
There’s a big gap in talent between these teams, and it’ll show on opening night.
Blackhawks vs Penguins Best Bets
Penguins -1.5 (+114)
Bedard is a special talent, but it’ll presumably be a while before his impact starts showing in Chicago.
It’s shaping up to be another long season for the Blackhawks, a 200-1 longshot in the preseason Stanley Cup odds. Only three teams — San Jose, Montreal, and Anaheim — currently have longer odds of winning the championship.
Expect them to struggle out of the gate.
Over 6.5 (-110)
Adding a 100-point scorer in Karlsson should do wonders for Pittsburgh. Crosby and Malkin remain among the NHL’s top-scoring duos despite their age.
They’ll feast on the Blackhawks and their suspect goaltending out of the gate.