Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers 25 October 2026 Prediction

Chicago is near the bottom of the Western Conference standings again, while Florida is still competing for a top-eight spot in the East. The Panthers have had the better of recent head-to-head meetings, though home ice could help the Blackhawks.

Chicago’s Inconsistent Start

Jeff Blashill’s team has six losses and just three wins so far. Even Patrick Kane’s return has not moved Chicago into a playoff spot. The schedule has been difficult, and the Blackhawks recently lost 4-0 to Dallas, one of the West’s top teams.

Before that, Chicago beat Winnipeg 4-3 in overtime and Pittsburgh 5-3 at home. Against the Jets, the Blackhawks were outshot 34-28 and trailed 4.1 to 2.9 in expected goals, but made better use of their chances.

Chicago Predicted Lineup: Knight (Soderblom) — Kaiser, Levshunov — Kantserov, Bedard, Kane

Other Players Available: Defensemen — Vlasic, Cole, Rinzel, Del Mastro; forwards — Bertuzzi, Frondell, Teravainen, Donato, Nazar, Moore, Smith, Greene, Greenway

Unavailable: Byram, Mangiapane (both questionable)

Manager: Jeff Blashill

Florida’s Results Against Western Conference Teams

Florida has yet to move into a playoff spot in the East, with injuries making consistent results difficult. Paul Maurice’s team heads to Chicago after two lopsided losses. The Panthers fell 5-1 to Ottawa, where fans directed profane chants at former captain Brady Tkachuk, then lost 4-0 to Pittsburgh.

Florida has fared better against Western Conference opponents. The Panthers beat Seattle 8-3 at home behind a Sam Bennett hat trick, then defeated Vancouver 3-2 in overtime. Tkachuk scored all three Florida goals against the Canucks.

Florida Predicted Lineup: Schmid (Black) — Balinskis, Ekblad — B. Tkachuk, Bennett, M. Tkachuk

Other Players Available: Defensemen — Mikkola, Jones, Kulikov, Gudas; forwards — Verhaeghe, Reinhart, Eller, Luostarinen, Lundell, Reinhardt, Imama, Schwindt, Hathaway

Unavailable: Gadjovich, Barkov, Marchand, Markstrom (injured); Forsling (questionable)

Manager: Paul Maurice

Last Season’s Head-to-Head Results

Florida won both meetings last season, taking a 3-2 victory at home and a 5-1 win in Chicago. In the road game, goaltender Daniil Tarasov stopped more than 95% of the shots he faced, and defenseman Tobias Bjornfot scored twice.

Key Stats

Chicago generates 2.4 expected goals per game, the third-lowest mark in the league.

The Blackhawks’ power play is among the league’s four worst at 12.5%.

Florida has scored on 9.7% of its shots on goal. Only eight teams have a lower shooting percentage.

Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers Prediction: Florida Panthers Moneyline

Main prediction: Chicago remains near the bottom of the standings and has lost its last three meetings with Florida. The Panthers have recently beaten Vancouver, Columbus, and Seattle. They will also have an extra day of rest. The pick is Florida Panthers moneyline. Projected score: Chicago 2, Florida 4.

Team total prediction: Chicago has allowed 19 goals in its last five games. Florida has scored 18 goals in regulation over the same span, including eight against Seattle. That supports Florida team total over 3.5 goals.