Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks 30 September 2026 Prediction

The NHL season begins with the Vegas Golden Knights hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. The teams finished at opposite ends of the Western Conference standings last season. Vegas had the stronger preseason record and will have home ice for the opener.

Golden Knights Win Three of Four Preseason Games

Matching last season’s run to the Stanley Cup Final will be difficult for Vegas. The team lost its leading goal scorer, Pavel Dorofeyev, over the summer. It also made a planned change in management after the playoffs: Ryan Craig replaced John Tortorella.

Vegas won three of its four preseason games, including two that went beyond regulation. A 4-2 home loss to San Jose in the finale was the setback. Goaltender Carter Hart allowed four goals on 16 shots.

Vegas Predicted Lineup: Hart (Hill) – McNabb, Theodore – Barbashev, Eichel, Stone

Other roster players: Defensemen: Wotherspoon, Andersson, Hanifin, Lauzon; forwards: Howden, Karlsson, Marner, Connelly, Hertl, Olofsson, Bowman, Dowd, Gatcomb

Out: None listed

Manager: Ryan Craig

Blackhawks Add Several New Players

Chicago finished next to last in the Western Conference last season and added several players over the summer. Patrick Kane is back with the club and is expected to play on the top line. Roman Kantserov also joined from Metallurg and recorded a goal and an assist in preseason play.

The Blackhawks won two of their four preseason games. They closed with a 3-2 home win over St. Louis, two days after losing 1-0 to the Blues on the road. Chicago was outshot 36-17 and 31-22 in those games. Generating shots could be a concern this season.

Chicago Predicted Lineup: Knight (Soderblom) – Vlasic, Byram – Kantserov, Nazar, Kane

Other roster players: Defensemen: Kaiser, Levshunov, Cole, Rinzel; forwards: Bertuzzi, Frondell, Lardis, Donato, Moore, Mangiapane, Smith, Green, Greenway

Out: Bedard (injury)

Manager: Jeff Blashill

Home Teams Won All Three Meetings Last Season

Vegas won 4-3 at home in a shootout in December 2025. Chicago answered with a 3-2 overtime win at home the following month. The Golden Knights won the final meeting 4-0 in Vegas.

Key Stats

All four of Chicago’s preseason games were decided by one goal.

Vegas allowed a power-play goal in each of its last three preseason games.

The Blackhawks allowed just one first-period goal across their four preseason games.

Vegas Golden Knights vs Chicago Blackhawks Prediction: Vegas Golden Knights Moneyline at 1.70

Main pick: Chicago has not won in Vegas since October 2023, losing all four visits since. The Golden Knights lost only one of their four preseason games. The Blackhawks lost both road exhibitions and scored just two goals between them. Those results, along with home ice, support the Vegas Golden Knights moneyline at 1.70. A 3-1 correct score is another option.

Totals pick: Both teams may take a cautious approach in their season opener. Each of the last two meetings produced four goals in regulation, and three of Chicago’s four preseason games had five goals or fewer. The pick is under 5.5 goals at 2.06.