Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, 1/29/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins

Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026

Location: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA

TV: Sportsnet Pittsburgh

The Chicago Blackhawks (21-23-8) are on their way to PPG Paints Arena on Thursday where they will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins (26-14-11).

The Chicago Blackhawks were on the losing side of the ice with a 5-1 loss against the Panthers in their previous game. Chicago tallied 2 penalty mins for this game. The Blackhawks didn't have their best offensive outing in this defeat. Additionally, they had 3 power play attempts but weren't able to score. In the outing, they finished 1 of the 20 shots they put on goal.

Concerning their scoring, the Chicago Blackhawks have earned 138 goals (27th in pro hockey) this year and have conceded 160. For the current campaign, they sit with 50 points and their points percentage is .481. Chicago is sitting with 146 power play chances and they have scored 30 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 20.55%. When playing at even strength, the Blackhawks have surrendered 136 goals while having 108 on the offensive side of the ice. Chicago has attempted 1,294 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.7%. The Blackhawks thus far have had 1,540 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .896. Chicago Blackhawks opponents have totaled 165 power play tries (6th in pro hockey) and have a total of 24 goals in those attempts.

The man in net for this game is Spencer Knight. In his career, Knight is sitting with 65 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .542. His save percentage is at .906 during his 5,122 minutes played. Knight has seen 3,622 shots taken against him and has recorded 3,281 saves. The opposition has scored 341 goals versus Knight in his professional career and his goals against rate is 2.84. He has an overall record of 64-47-15 and he was named the starter in 120 games. Knight has played in 130 games during his hockey career.

When they took the ice last, Pittsburgh faced the Canucks in a game where the Penguins ended up with the win by a final score of 3-2. They had 1 power play opportunity in this contest but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Penguins tallied 3 goals of the 25 shots on goal they were seeking.

Pittsburgh has put up 1,463 shots (15th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.48%, while allowing their opponents 1,407 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 83.56% on their opponents 146 power play chances, and their save percentage comes in at 89.7%. They have a total of 135 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 27.41%. The Penguins have accumulated 131 goals at even strength and 37 goals (8th in hockey) while having more men on the ice. They have granted a total of 145 goals to be scored by way of 121 goals at even strength and 24 goals while they had less men on the ice. So far this season, the Pittsburgh Penguins are sitting with 168 goals, 63 points, as well as a points percentage of .618.

For the opposition you are expected to see Stuart Skinner in the crease. He has racked up 5,114 stops out of the 5,656 shots attempted against him, which gives him a percentage of .904. Skinner is the owner of a career record of 116-66-18 and has participated in 208 games. He got the starting nod in 202 games and has been on the ice for 9,304 mins. Skinner's quality start percentage is 55.4% and he has qualified for 112 quality starts in his professional career. Opponents are averaging 2.68 goals per contest and he has yielded 542 goals overall.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh

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