Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction, 1/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025

Location: United Center in Chicago, IL

TV: Chicago Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Golden Knights (-145) Blackhawks (+125)

The Vegas Golden Knights (29-12-3) are hitting the road to United Center on Saturday where they will take on the Chicago Blackhawks (14-28-2). The line on this matchup has Vegas at -145 while Chicago is coming in at +125. The total comes in at 6.5.

The Vegas Golden Knights had a rough game after their 5-3 defeat against the Predators in the last game they played. Vegas had 2 minutes in the box in this contest. Additionally, they had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. The Golden Knights had a middle of the road offensive performance in this loss. For the outing, they scored on 3 out of the 22 shots they launched.

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Vegas Golden Knights opponents have earned 91 power play opportunities (31st in the league) and have racked up 20 goals in those chances. The Golden Knights thus far have had 1,190 shots tried against them and have a save percentage of .901. Vegas has tried 1,350 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.1%. When playing at even strength, the Golden Knights let the opposition score 98 goals while earning 123 as an offensive unit. Vegas has tallied 103 power play opportunities and they have scored 27 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 26.21%. For the season, they have recorded 61 points and their points percentage sits at .693. When talking about scoring goals, the Vegas Golden Knights have racked up 150 goals (4th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have conceded 118.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Adin Hill. Hill has been involved in 163 games during his pro hockey career. He has amassed an overall mark of 82-58-10 and got the start in 150 games. Opponents have notched 398 goals against Hill in his NHL career and his goals against average is 3.19. Hill has seen 4,367 shots taken against him and has accrued 3,969 total saves. He has a save percentage of .909 in his 7,485 minutes on the ice. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Hill is sitting with 79 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .527.

Their last time out, Chicago faced the Flames in a game where the Blackhawks took the loss by a score of 5-2. The Blackhawks recorded 2 goals out of the 25 shots on goal they tried. They had 2 chances on the power play in this matchup and scored 1 out of those attempts.

The Blackhawks have earned 87 goals at even strength and 25 goals (19th in the NHL) while on the power play. Chicago has put up 1,105 shots (29th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 10.14%, while allowing their opponents 1,341 shots. During this campaign, the Chicago Blackhawks have tallied 112 goals, 30 points, in addition to a points percentage of .341. They have allowed 152 goals to be scored by of a combination of 131 goals at even strength and 21 goals while they were shorthanded. They have a total of 107 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 23.36%. They have a penalty kill percentage of 83.33% on the other teams 126 chances on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 88.7%.

For the opposition you are likely to see Petr Mrazek defending the net. Teams are averaging 3.01 goals per game and he has allowed 1,097 goals altogether. Mrazek's quality start percentage sits at 51.2% and he has 197 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has made the start in 385 games and has played 21,867 minutes. Mrazek has earned a career mark of 176-171-39 and has been in goal for 416 games. He has compiled 10,616 stops out of 11,713 shots tried, which gives him a rate of .906.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Vegas (-145)

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