Chicago vs Pittsburgh Prediction 14 October 2026
🔊 Chicago have opened the season with five losses in their first six games and are still struggling to find any defensive stability. Against this backdrop, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Connor Bedard, who has already resumed full-contact training after shoulder surgery. Pittsburgh have also endured a rough patch, but they bounced back with a win over Dallas in their last outing and now hit the road on a high note. Last season, the Penguins got the better of the Blackhawks twice, scoring at least five goals in both meetings.
Pittsburgh left their opponents with no chance
📊 Last regular season, Pittsburgh took both games against Chicago. In December, the Penguins cruised to a commanding road win, despite the hosts getting on the board through Nick Foligno, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Wyatt Kaiser. The January rematch saw the Pennsylvania side assert even more dominance-Pittsburgh outshot their opponents 45-20, with Connor Dewar netting a brace. Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov, Anthony Mantha, and Ryan Shea also found the back of the net for Pittsburgh. Chicago responded with goals from Connor Murphy and Connor Bedard. Now, the Blackhawks face the challenge of finding a way to contain an opponent that has consistently exposed their defensive frailties in recent head-to-head clashes.
Head-to-head statistics Chicago - Pittsburgh
Bedard is being hailed as a savior.
Chicago have managed just one win in their last six games, with a goal differential of 12:26 that starkly illustrates the scale of their problems. The team sit bottom of the Western Conference with only two points, conceding at least four goals in each of their last five outings. The offense has particularly struggled in the absence of Connor Bedard, who remains sidelined following shoulder surgery. The captain has returned to full-contact practice, but his availability for the upcoming game is still uncertain. Should he make his comeback, the coaching staff plan to immediately slot him into the top line and the power play. The Blackhawks are also without Andrew Mangiapane and Ryan Ellis, the latter ruled out for the rest of the season.
Their most recent clash with Carolina ended in a 2-5 defeat, with Chicago already trailing 0-3 early in the second period. Roman Kantserov provided a brief spark, breaking away and netting his first NHL goal five minutes into the middle frame-his first point since making his debut at the end of September. Later on, Oliver Moore found the net for his second goal of the campaign. However, the efforts of these young forwards weren’t enough to mount a serious comeback. The Blackhawks’ seven-game homestand began with yet another loss.
Match Results: Chicago Blackhawks
They found their response after three straight defeats.
Pittsburgh have claimed victory in three of their first six games, though they entered their most recent outing on the back of a three-game skid. The Penguins burst out of the gates in style, routing Philadelphia 7-0 before edging Montreal in overtime, 6-5. However, after that electric start, results began to dip, but Dan Muse’s squad managed to halt their losing streak just in time. Even so, personnel issues continue to mount. Andrei Kuzmenko is sidelined for personal reasons, Justin Brazeau and Ryan Graves are both injured, while the availability of Bryan Rust and Trevor van Riemsdyk remains uncertain.
On Saturday, the Penguins edged Dallas in a shootout (2-1), although victory nearly slipped away in the dying seconds of regulation. Connor Dewar put the hosts ahead in the third period, but the Stars leveled it up with just over 30 seconds left on the clock. In the shootout, Ben Kindel, Sidney Crosby, and Rickard Rakell all converted, while Artur Silovs denied Mikko Rantanen’s decisive attempt. After the game, Muse praised his team’s improved focus and singled out the line of Dewar, Blake Lizotte, and Nick Robertson for their performance. Spencer Stastney made his debut for Pittsburgh, pairing up with Kris Letang on defense. Now, the Penguins embark on a four-game road swing, with Chicago up first on the schedule.
Match Results: Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction for the 1st period
In eight of the last nine head-to-head meetings between Chicago and Pittsburgh, no more than two goals have been scored in the opening 20 minutes. The same trend has appeared in eight of the Blackhawks’ previous nine games and in 11 of the Penguins’ last 12 outings. Even with the hosts’ defensive struggles, the first-period stats point to a cautious start. The pick: under 2.5 goals in the first period.
Total Goals Prediction
Chicago have failed to score more than three goals in each of their last five games against Pittsburgh. The Blackhawks have managed just 12 goals across six outings, and Connor Bedard’s potential return is still uncertain. There’s little reason to expect a sudden surge in offensive output from the hosts. The bet here is on Chicago individual total under 3.5 goals.
Outcome Prediction
Pittsburgh have covered the +1.5 spread in eight of their last nine NHL games. The Penguins just snapped their losing streak, while Chicago have managed only one win in their last six outings. Given the Blackhawks' current struggles, the visitors look well-positioned to stay within this margin. The pick: Pittsburgh +1.5.
⭐️ Editorial Prediction
Chicago have conceded at least four goals in each of their last five games, allowing a total of 26 goals over six outings. Pittsburgh haven’t exactly been the model of consistency either, but earlier this season they managed to put seven past Philadelphia and six past Montreal. After dropping three straight, the Penguins bounced back with a win over Dallas and now have a chance to build momentum against one of the Western Conference’s most vulnerable teams. In their last three head-to-head meetings, Pittsburgh have scored no fewer than five goals against Chicago. Given the Blackhawks’ current defensive struggles, that stat stands out-even though Bedard’s return could give Chicago a boost in confidence. My pick: Pittsburgh over 2.5 team total goals.
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Betting Tips: Chicago Blackhawks - Pittsburgh Penguins
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