Penguins vs. Blackhawks Prediction, NHL Odds & Best Bets (10/13)

Fact checked at 5:36 AM ET, Oct 13, 2026

Odds as of Oct 13, 5:19 AM ET

Chicago (1-5-0) has given up 26 goals in six games, 4.33 a night and 30th in the league. The Blackhawks also allow 30.3 shots a game, and their penalty kill, at 68.8%, is tied for 27th. That is the team Pittsburgh (3-2-1) sees to open a four-game road trip. The Penguins have 21 goals in six games, seven of them in the 7-0 opener at Philadelphia, and they ended a three-game skid with Saturday's 2-1 shootout win over Dallas.

Connor Bedard may be back for Chicago. The captain had left shoulder surgery in July, coach Jeff Blashill said Monday he is "trending toward" a season debut, and ESPN reports he plays if he feels good through Tuesday's pregame skate. He would center the top line with Patrick Kane and join a top power-play unit that has one goal in 14 chances. Both teams last played Saturday. Arturs Silovs is the projected starter for Pittsburgh and Spencer Knight for Chicago, though neither is confirmed. Puck drop is 8:00 PM ET at the United Center on CHSN and SportsNet Pittsburgh, with ESPN+ streaming.

Pittsburgh is -145 on the moneyline after opening -156 on Sunday, and the total is 6.5 (Over -105, Under -115). We'd pass on laying that price with Bedard likely in the lineup. The better angle is Pittsburgh's shooters against a defense that has leaked shots and goals all season, and both of our picks cash if the Penguins get their usual volume.

Penguins vs. Blackhawks Predictions

• Pick #1: Ben Kindel Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-140)
• Pick #2: Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Assists (-110)

PICK #1: Ben Kindel Over 1.5 Shots on Goal (-140)

Every game Kindel has played this season, he has put at least two pucks on net: 5, 2, 2, 3 and 2 from his first game through Saturday. That is 14 shots in five games, an average of 2.8, along with two goals and four points. One of those goals came on the power play against Montreal.

Monday's practice lines had him centering the third line between Andrei Kuzmenko and Ville Koivunen, and the projected first power-play unit puts him with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson. Against a team allowing 30.3 shots a game, we like his chances of getting two. The -140 price works out to 58.3%.

What could sink it is ice time. His minutes have run from 14:18 to 19:36, and the low mark came in that Montreal game, so a short night on the third line could leave him stuck on one. Kuzmenko is back on his wing after time away from the team, which means a new combination. And Kindel missed the opener at Philadelphia, so five games is all there is to go on.

PICK #2: Erik Karlsson Over 0.5 Assists (-110)

Karlsson has an assist in four of Pittsburgh's six games, five in all (1, 2, 1, 0, 1, 0 from the opener through Saturday). He has logged between 24:00 and 27:10 in each of the last four, plays on the top pair with Declan Carlile and quarterbacks the first power-play unit. The price asks for 52.4%, which is close to a coin flip on a player who gets this much of the puck.

Chicago has allowed five power-play goals and kills only 68.8% of its penalties. A defense giving up 4.33 goals a game also leaves room for a secondary assist at even strength.

Karlsson needs teammates to finish, since he has yet to score this season. Two of his assists came on the power play, neither in the last four games, and Pittsburgh's power play is converting at only 20.0%, tied for 15th. If Bedard plays, Chicago should hold the puck more and might spend less time shorthanded, and that would hurt this pick and Kindel's shots together.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.