Betting tips from AI for Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders, 31 December 2025.

This is a classic value play: New York arrives shorthanded in net and on the blue line while Chicago — though missing Connor Bedard — still matches the Isles offensively at about 2.8 G/GP. New York’s losses and the absence of both Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin leave the Isles dependent on backups, which swings the matchup toward a higher-scoring, tighter game. Recent form is mixed, but Chicago holds a narrow 52% edge in recent meetings and beat New York 5-3 earlier this season.

Market signals and expert notes back the Blackhawks to cover and push an over (several analysts like Chicago to cover +1.5 and a 4-3 outcome). At the offered price 2.90, the upside outweighs the risk compared with the favorite 2.14 or the draw 4.20. Expect a competitive, goal-filled tilt where New York’s goalie situation is the deciding factor.

Prediction: Chicago ekes out a 4-3 upset; I prefer backing the Blackhawks at 2.90 for value.

Tonight's NHL clash presents a fascinating betting opportunity, despite the New York Islanders entering as road favorites at 2.14. On paper, the Islanders boast a solid 21-14-4 record and the league's eighth-best defense. However, a deeper dive reveals a critical weakness: their goaltending situation is in shambles, with both Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin sidelined by injuries. This is a massive blow that negates much of their defensive strength.

The Chicago Blackhawks, while limping at 14-18-6 and missing star Connor Bedard, face an Islanders team severely compromised. Chicago holds a slight 52% win edge in recent meetings, including a 5-3 victory earlier this season. Betting experts are even backing the Blackhawks to cover the +1.5 puck line and push the game over 5.5 goals, predicting a tight 4-3 Chicago win. Given the Islanders' catastrophic goalie injuries, the 2.90 odds for a Blackhawks outright win offer exceptional value. The home ice advantage and past success against a depleted Islanders squad make Chicago the smart play here.

The Islanders come in as road favorites at 2.14 despite their recent struggles, including a 4-2 loss to Columbus. Their betting advantage stems from their solid 21-14-4 record and the league's eighth-best defense, but injuries have decimated their roster with both goalies Varlamov and Sorokin sidelined.

Chicago, meanwhile, offers attractive value at 2.90 despite their 14-18-6 record and recent 3-7 home loss. The absence of Connor Bedard hurts, but the Blackhawks have shown they can handle the Islanders, winning 5-3 in their previous meeting this season.

The head-to-head history leans slightly toward Chicago with a 52% win edge in recent meetings. With both teams averaging 2.8 goals per game offensively and the Islanders missing their top netminders, the conditions favor Chicago to capitalize at home. Expect a tight, high-scoring affair with Chicago's home-ice advantage proving decisive in what should be a 4-3 victory for the underdog Blackhawks.

The NHL showdown at the United Center on New Year's Eve pits the Chicago Blackhawks against the New York Islanders, with the Isles favored at 1.88 despite their injury woes. New York's elite eighth-ranked defense has faltered lately, including a 4-2 loss to Columbus, and they're hammered by absences: goalies Varlamov and Sorokin out, Romanov sidelined for the season, and forwards Engvall and Palmieri unavailable. That leaves their net vulnerable against Chicago's 2.8 goals-per-game offense, matching the Isles' output.

Chicago's no picnic either, missing Bedard (shoulder), Weber (ankle, season-ending), and Nazar (upper body), plus reeling from a 3-7 home drubbing by Pittsburgh. But the Blackhawks boast a slight 52% edge in recent head-to-heads, including a 5-3 win over New York this season. Betting experts see value in the underdog Hawks covering +1.5 and pushing over 5.5 goals in a tight 4-3 victory.

With both teams' firepower intact despite injuries, expect a high-scoring affair favoring the home underdogs at 2.90. The draw at 4.20 tempts, but Chicago pulls off the upset for bettors chasing profit.

The Islanders' road favoritism is severely undermined by catastrophic goalie injuries, with both Varlamov and Sorokin out.

Chicago's offense, matching New York's at 2.8 goals per game, can exploit this weakness, and they hold a slight head-to-head edge.

Betting experts forecast a 4-3 Blackhawks win, making the 2.90 odds a high-value opportunity in a potentially wide-open contest.

This matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Islanders presents a fascinating clash of narratives, with both teams bringing strengths and vulnerabilities to the ice. The Islanders enter as favorites with odds of 2.14, but their recent struggles are impossible to ignore. They’ve dropped games they were expected to win, including a lackluster 4-2 loss to Columbus, and now face a depleted roster due to key injuries. Goalies Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin being sidelined leaves New York in a precarious position, while the absence of defenseman Alexander Romanov further weakens their defensive structure.

On the other side, the Blackhawks, despite sitting at 14-18-6, have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly on offense. While they lost Connor Bedard to injury, their ability to average 2.8 goals per game keeps them competitive. Betting experts are leaning toward Chicago covering the +1.5 puck line, suggesting belief in their resilience. Odds of 2.90 for a Blackhawks outright win reflect their underdog status, but given New York’s mounting issues, this could be a golden opportunity.

Historically, these teams have delivered tightly contested battles, with Chicago holding a slight edge in recent meetings. Considering New York's defensive woes and Chicago's knack for high-scoring affairs, backing the Blackhawks feels like a calculated risk worth taking.