Jan. 25, 2026, 6:11 a.m. ET

The Florida Panthers (27-20-3) and Chicago Blackhawks (21-22-8) meet Sunday. Puck drop from United Center in Chicago, Illinois, is set for 7 p.m. ET (NHL Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Panthers vs. Blackhawks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Panthers lead 1-0 with 3-2 home win Oct. 7

Florida improved to 2-0 on its current road trip Saturday night with a 4-3 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild as a +104 underdog as the Over (6) goals cashed. LW Brad Marchand scored twice, including the game-winner 3 minutes into overtime. C Sam Reinhart added his 25th goal, reaching that mark for the sixth straight season. C Sam Bennett also scored, while G Sergei Bobrovsky made 18 saves in the victory.

Chicago dropped a 2-1 shootout decision Friday to the Tampa Bay Lightning, falling as a +235 home underdog with the Under (6) cashing. C Ryan Greene scored the Blackhawks’ lone goal in regulation. LW Nick Lardis, C Connor Bedard and C Oliver Moore were denied in the shootout. G Arvid Söderblom finished with 30 saves in the loss.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Panthers at Blackhawks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:56 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Panthers -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Blackhawks +120 (bet $100 to win $120)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Panthers -1.5 (+165) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-200)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)Panthers at Blackhawks projected goalies

Daniil Tarasov (7-6-2, 2.63 GAA, .906 SV%) vs. Spencer Knight (15-13-6, 2.54 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SO)

Tarasov remains unbeaten in 2026 following his win Thursday against Tampa Bay. He is 3-0 since Jan. 1 with a 1.30 GAA and a .943 SV%. He lone career start against Chicago was Dec. 23, 2022, when he allowed 4 goals on 20 shots while playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Knight has opened 2026 with solid form, posting a 5-2 record with a 2.25 GAA and a .924 SV% in January. He earned his most recent win Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes, stopping 28 of 31 shots. Knight dropped his only career start against Florida in the first meeting Oct. 7, allowing 3 goals on 37 shots.

Panthers at Blackhawks picks and predictionsPrediction

Panthers 3, Blackhawks 2

BET PANTHERS (-145).

The teams are meeting for the first time since the season opener. The Panthers have won 7 of the last 10 meetings in the series and remain the more reliable side despite injuries. Florida is without C Aleksander Barkov, but LW Matthew Tkachuk has returned and is rounding back into form.

Chicago has struggled of late, losing 4 of its last 6 games, and remains near the bottom of the league in shots per game (25). The Blackhawks’ young roster has had difficulty maintaining defensive consistency, while poor faceoff play has led to extended time in the defensive zone.

This road price is not ideal, but Florida’s ability to generate offense against a Chicago team short on scoring makes the Panthers the preferred play.

PASS.

This should be a tight game which is why I’ll avoid the puck line and stick with the moneyline, likely in a parlay bet.

UNDER 6 (-115).

A low-scoring game looks likely in this matchup. Florida ranks 21st in the league in goals per game (2.98), while Chicago sits 26th (2.69). The Under has hit in 7 of the Blackhawks’ last 10 contests and in 2 of the Panthers’ last 3. Recent history also points that way, with the Under going 2-0-1 in the past 3 meetings. Strong special teams on both sides, as each ranks inside the NHL’s top 10 in penalty-kill efficiency, should help keep scoring in check.

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