Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders Prediction, 10/8/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders

Date: Thursday, October 8, 2026

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: Chicago Sports Network, MSG Sportsnet

Odds/Point Spread: Blackhawks (+170) Islanders (-200)

The New York Islanders (1-2-0) will try to beat the Chicago Blackhawks (1-3-0) at UBS Arena on Thursday. The moneyline on this contest has the Blackhawks at +170 and the Islanders are sitting at -200. The betting total is set at 5.5.

The Chicago Blackhawks went home feeling good about their game by earning a 4-2 victory against the Blues in their previous contest . Chicago accrued 4 mins in the box in this contest. The Blackhawks had a solid offensive outing in the win. Additionally, they had 2 chances with extra men on the ice and scored 1 goal. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 4 out of the 21 shots they launched.

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Pertaining to their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have accumulated 9 goals (19th in the National Hockey League) for the season and have given up 17. For the year, they have recorded 2 points and their points percentage is .250. Chicago has accounted for 9 power play opportunities and they have added 1 goal out of those advantages, giving them a percentage of 11.11%. While playing at even strength, the Blackhawks let the opposition score 13 goals while earning 8 of their own. Chicago has attempted 77 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.7%. The Blackhawks thus far have had 125 shots attempted against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .864. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have totaled 11 power play opportunities (17th in hockey) and have earned 4 goals in those chances.

The player in the crease for this game is Spencer Knight. Knight has played in 153 games over the course of his hockey career. He has compiled a record of 69-60-20 and he was named the starter in 143 games. Opponents have tallied 416 goals against Knight in his career and his goals against rate is 2.91. Knight has seen 4,287 shots taken against him and he has 3,871 total saves. His save percentage is .903 for his 366 mins on the ice. In his career, Knight has accounted for 73 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .510.

When they took the ice last, New York faced the Rangers in a game where the Islanders ended up losing by a score of 5-2. They had 4 power play opportunities in this contest and scored 1 out of those tries. The Islanders scored 2 goals out of the 19 shots on goal they attempted.

The Islanders have 7 goals at even strength and 2 goals (17th in pro hockey) while having more men on the ice. New York has tried 78 shots (22nd in the league) and has a shot percentage of 11.54%, while allowing their opponents 87 shots. During this campaign, the New York Islanders have 9 goals, 2 points, as well as a points percentage of .333. They have granted a total of 7 goals to be scored by way of 5 goals at even strength and 2 goals while they had less men on the ice. They have earned 11 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 18.18%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 83.33% on the other teams 12 tries on the power play, and their save percentage currently comes in at 92.0%.

Across the rink you will find Ilya Sorokin in net. His opposition is averaging 2.57 goals/game and he has surrendered 780 goals overall. Sorokin's quality start rate is 64.1% and he has earned 195 quality starts in his hockey career. He has been a starter 304 contests and has racked up 17,987 mins. Sorokin is the owner of a lifetime mark of 155-114-38 and has played in 310 contests. He has recorded 8,374 stops out of the 9,154 shots taken against him, giving him a save percentage of .915.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago (+170)

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