Betting tips from AI for Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins, 29 December 2025.

Connor Bedard has been electric (44 points, six goals in his recent stretch) and the United Center is a loud place to tilt the ice. Sidney Crosby (38 points) remains dangerous, but Pittsburgh's blue line looks fragile with Ryan Graves out for a fifth straight game after that 6-3 loss to Toronto.
Pittsburgh's 8-3-2 record and 5-2-1 road form are real, yet three losses in five — including shutouts — expose inconsistency. Chicago's hot winger, home crowd edge and the clear value at 2.90 make the Blackhawks my pick over the slimmer-priced Penguins at 2.12. This is a value play backing momentum and matchup upside.

This NHL clash sets up a thrilling duel between two generational talents, Connor Bedard of the Blackhawks and Sidney Crosby of the Penguins. While Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 38 points, Bedard is the hotter hand with 44 points and 6 goals in his recent stretch, making him a formidable force in front of Chicago's 'rowdy barn'.

Pittsburgh's strong 5-2-1 road record is impressive, but their recent form raises concerns, stumbling in three of their last five games, including two shutout losses. Compounding their issues, defenseman Ryan Graves remains sidelined for a fifth straight game, leaving their blue line vulnerable. Against a red-hot Bedard and the Blackhawks at home, the Penguins' defensive gaps could be exposed. Given the Penguins' recent inconsistencies and defensive injury, Chicago at 2.90 offers compelling value as the underdog.

In a clash of titans at the United Center, the Pittsburgh Penguins roll into Chicago as slight favorites with odds at 2.12, facing a Blackhawks squad hungry for an upset at 2.90. Sidney Crosby's veteran savvy, leading Pittsburgh with 38 points, meets the electric Connor Bedard, who's exploding with 44 points and 6 recent goals—setting up an epic center battle that could swing the night.

Pittsburgh's road prowess shines at 5-2-1, but their recent stumbles, including a 6-3 thrashing by Toronto and shutouts to Montreal and Detroit, expose vulnerabilities, especially with defenseman Ryan Graves sidelined for a fifth game, weakening the blue line. Chicago, at 3-2-1 at home, feeds off their rowdy crowd and Bedard's hot streak to challenge the Penguins' grit.

Value screams Blackhawks here—their underdog payout tempts with Bedard's momentum against a shaky Pittsburgh defense. Expect a tight, high-scoring affair, but Chicago edges it in a gritty upset.

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter this matchup with a strong 8-3-2 record, but recent struggles are concerning. They've dropped three of their last five, including shutout losses, and the absence of defenseman Ryan Graves weakens their blue line. However, Sidney Crosby's leadership and point production remain elite. Chicago's Connor Bedard is on a tear with 6 goals recently, fueling the Blackhawks' offense. While Chicago's home record is decent, Pittsburgh's overall strength and road performance (5-2-1) give them the edge. The Penguins' 2.12 moneyline odds offer solid value against a Blackhawks team still finding consistency.

This is a classic clash of a proven contender versus an emerging star. Bedard will challenge the Penguins' defense, but Pittsburgh's experience and need to rebound from recent stumbles should prevail. Crosby and the Penguins' core have the pedigree to handle a hostile road environment like the United Center. The value lies with the road favorite.

This matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins shapes up as a fascinating battle of strengths, with both teams boasting elite offensive talents. Connor Bedard's recent explosion—6 goals in his last stretch—positions him as the focal point for Chicago. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby’s veteran leadership and 38 points keep Pittsburgh dangerous despite their recent inconsistencies.

The Penguins have stumbled in three of their last five games, including shutout losses to Montreal and Detroit. This raises questions about their defensive cohesion, especially with Ryan Graves still sidelined. A depleted blue line could struggle against Chicago’s rising attack, particularly at the United Center where the Blackhawks hold a respectable 3-2-1 home record. The odds favor Chicago significantly, with the Blackhawks sitting at 2.90 compared to Pittsburgh’s 2.12. These numbers reflect not just Chicago’s potential but also Pittsburgh’s vulnerabilities on the road (5-2-1).

While Pittsburgh holds the better overall record (8-3-2), their recent form suggests cracks under pressure. Betting on Chicago offers strong value given their upward trajectory fueled by Bedard’s brilliance. With the Penguins' scoring depth potentially stifled by Chicago’s balanced defense, backing the Blackhawks looks like the smarter wager here.