Tonight’s NHL action brings the Chicago Blackhawks to the Delta Center to take on the Utah Hockey Club, a team making its debut in the league.
Utah is favored at -175 on the moneyline, while Chicago is an underdog at +145. The puck line sets Utah at -1.5 (+145), while Chicago gets the +1.5 spread (-175). The over/under is set at 6 goals.
UTA Hockey Club: -175
CHI Blackhawks: u6.0 -128
Event: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Utah Hockey Club
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Broadcast: ESPN and ESPN+
If you want to know who will win this opener for the NHL season then we’ve got the answers you’re looking for!
The Chicago Blackhawks enter this matchup as a team still in the midst of rebuilding, with flashes of potential largely centered around their star forward, Connor Bedard.
Despite Bedard's presence, the Blackhawks have struggled over the past few seasons. They’ve failed to secure a playoff spot since the 2019-20 season and this season isn’t looking much better. Their performance last year — failing to notch even 30 wins — underlines the challenges they face. This is not a good team and they haven’t made the moves necessary to make their way to the NHL Playoffs let alone the Stanley Cup.
While Bedard is expected to shine, as he usually does, the concern lies with the supporting cast.
Players like Alex Vlasic and new addition Ilya Mikheyev provide a bit of hope, but it’s unclear if they can produce enough to challenge a much-improved Utah team.
Petr Mrazek and Laurent Brossoit form a solid but inconsistent goalie tandem, which could make or break their season.
The Blackhawks have also had a tough time recently when playing as underdogs. They've failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games, and that doesn't help this matchup against a new but talented Utah squad.
The Utah Hockey Club is entering its first-ever NHL game and they couldn’t have had a better team to go up against.
They’re led by head coach Andre Tourigny who is known for turning things around during his stint with the Coyotes.
Utah boasts key defensive additions in Mikhail Sergachev, John Marino, and Ian Cole, bringing tons of experience and defensive skills. Sergachev, in particular, stands out as a game-changer, having proven his value with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
On the offensive side, Logan Cooley is another player we’re going to watch. He’s coming off an impressive rookie season where he recorded 20 goals and 24 assists.
Utah's lineup is filled with solid players, but their success may hinge on how quickly they gel as a unit in real-game situations.
While there’s not a single factor that will turn the tide of this game, there are a few that we recommend keeping an eye on if you’re betting on the Blackhawks or the Hockey Club.
Chicago’s Recent Struggles. The Blackhawks have lost their last six games, and the favorite has won seven of their last eight matchups. That is an abysmal record.
First Period Goals. Utah tends to start strong, with a good chance to score early. The over 0.5 goals in the first ten minutes is favored at -154. That’s a bet you might want to jump on.
Scoring Trend. Four of the last five night games involving teams from the same division have gone under the total, which might indicate a low-scoring start for this new rivalry. This trend might be too soon to tell, but it’s something you might consider down the stretch.
Utah's Optimism. Like other recent expansion teams (e.g., the Vegas Golden Knights, and Seattle Kraken), Utah could start its NHL journey on a high note. Their blend of youth and experience gives them the tools to win right out of the gate. On top of that, they’re playing in Salt Lake City in front of a crowd that we expect will be electric.
Is that enough for a matchup prediction? We think so. Here’s who we think will win this bet.
The Blackhawks may have the best player on the ice in Connor Bedard, but one player alone isn't enough to carry a team in the NHL, especially when facing a well-rounded squad like Utah.
The Utah Hockey Club has the defense to stifle Bedard and the offense to take advantage of Chicago’s inconsistent goaltending. Even beyond that, Utah's debut in front of a home crowd will bring an extra level of energy that Chicago isn’t used to seeing.
For these reasons, our best bet is to take Utah on the moneyline at -175. If you want to go a step further, we think the Utah on the puck line at +145 could get a win too.
Chicago’s offensive struggles and recent poor performance as underdogs make them a risky pick, even at the tempting +145. Expect Utah to control the pace and secure a win in their first game. Additionally, betting on the under-6 goals could be a smart play, considering both teams' tendencies in recent games.
BettorsInsider Final Score Prediction: Utah 3, Chicago 1.