In what can only be described as a collision of disappointments, the Pittsburgh Penguins (31-35-12) host the Chicago Blackhawks (22-45-10) at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday in a matchup featuring two teams desperate to salvage something from forgettable seasons.
Sidney Crosby's Penguins bring their anemic offense (2.91 goals per game) against a Blackhawks squad allowing a generous 3.57 goals per contest, while Chicago's young star Connor Bedard will look to exploit Pittsburgh's equally porous defense.
With both teams combining for only six wins in their last twenty games and struggling goaltenders at both ends of the ice, expect a potentially high-scoring affair when the Pittsburgh Penguins face off against the Chicago Blackhawks in a game that feels more about pride than points.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks matchup, our predictive model gives the Penguins a 77.5% chance of defeating the Hawks.
Pre-game probabilities
Pittsburgh Penguins
Moneyline
Win %
77.5%
22.5%
Chicago Blackhawks
Pittsburgh Penguins: 77.5% win probability
- Superior goal production (228 goals for compared to Chicago's 209)
- Better home record (Pittsburgh sits 14th in the East while Chicago is last in the West)
- Recent momentum (LWLWL in last five games compared to Chicago's WLLLL)
Chicago Blackhawks: 22.5% win probability
- Poor defensive performance (278 goals against, second-worst in the Western Conference)
- Dismal road record (only 22 wins in 77 games played)
- Struggling offense (209 goals scored ranks 15th in the 16-team Western Conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts.
Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Best NHL sportsbook promos
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks preview
Two of the NHL's struggling franchises face off Tuesday night when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks in what could best be described as a battle to salvage some pride in disappointing seasons.
Sidney Crosby continues to be Pittsburgh's bright spot with 64 goals and 89 assists, though the Penguins' defensive woes have been their undoing, surrendering a concerning 3.58 goals per game.
Chicago's rookie phenom Connor Bedard has shown flashes of brilliance alongside Ryan Donato, but their combined 49 goals haven't been enough to overcome the team's defensive collapse that's seen them allow 24 goals in just their last six contests.
Knight vs. Nedeljkovic makes for an interesting goaltending matchup, though neither has impressed with save percentages hovering below .900 this season.
The last time these teams met, Chicago managed to steal a win, but home ice might give Pittsburgh the edge they need this time around.
PPG Paints Arena should be in for a high-scoring affair—both defenses leak goals like sieves, with neither team able to keep opponents under 3.5 goals per game.
With both squads sitting near the bottom of their respective conferences, pride and draft positioning are the only things at stake.
Look for Crosby to take control against Chicago's porous defense in what promises to be an entertaining, if not particularly consequential, mid-week hockey matchup.