The Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EDT (7:00 p.m. CDT) at the United Center. Pittsburgh’s stronger early scoring profile makes it the favorite, but unconfirmed goaltenders and several lineup questions leave room for volatility.
Game Details
- Matchup: Pittsburgh Penguins at Chicago Blackhawks
- Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT / 7:00 p.m. CDT
- Venue: United Center, Chicago
The game remains listed on the NHL schedule. Pittsburgh enters after three full days without a game, having last played October 9 in Columbus. Chicago last played at home on October 10 and has had two full days off, so neither side is dealing with a back-to-back.
Matchup Breakdown
Pittsburgh’s early results provide the clearest reason to favor the visitors. The Penguins are 3-2-1, compared with Chicago’s 1-5-0 record, according to the Puckey matchup data.
The scoring and defensive numbers widen that gap. Pittsburgh is averaging 3.67 goals per game while allowing 2.83. Chicago is producing 2.00 goals per game and conceding 4.33, based on figures compiled by DeepMetric Analytics. Those are still small early-season samples, but they show the Penguins entering with both the more productive offense and the better goals-against rate.
Special teams could also matter if the game becomes penalty-heavy. Chicago’s early power play is operating at 7.1%, while its penalty kill is at 70.6%. Pittsburgh’s cited penalty-killing rate of approximately 82.1% comes from the 2025-26 season rather than the current campaign, so it should be treated as background instead of a direct current-season comparison.
Chicago’s path to an upset likely involves slowing the pace, avoiding unnecessary penalties and receiving stronger goaltending than its overall defensive results have shown. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, should benefit if it can create an open game and force the Blackhawks to chase the score.
Goalies and Injury Watch
Projected goalies, not confirmed: Arturs Silovs is the projected Pittsburgh starter, while Spencer Knight is projected for Chicago. Starting assignments may not become clear until morning skate or later in the day.
Silovs is 3-1-0 with an .885 save percentage. Pittsburgh’s other option, Sergei Murashov, has posted a .937 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average across two starts. Knight is 1-3-0 with an .885 save percentage and a 3.80 goals-against average. Chicago backup Arvid Soderblom has an .820 save percentage and 4.58 GAA in two starts. These figures are available in the game analytics.
The potential goalie decisions create an important uncertainty. Murashov’s early numbers are better than Silovs’, while Chicago’s alternatives have both struggled. A confirmed change in either net could affect the appeal of the moneyline and total.
According to the Covers injury report, Pittsburgh defenseman Ryan Graves and winger Justin Brazeau are out with lower-body injuries. Andrei Kuzmenko is listed unavailable for personal reasons, while Bryan Rust is day-to-day with an upper-body injury and remains a game-time decision. Chicago has Andrew Mangiapane on injured reserve with a lower-body issue, while Connor Bedard is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and no firm return timeline listed.
Odds and Betting Considerations
Odds were checked October 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. UTC through AgentBets’ market comparison. FanDuel and BetRivers listed Pittsburgh at -134 on the moneyline. Caesars offered Chicago at +121, with DraftKings showing +120.
For the puck line, BetRivers listed Pittsburgh -1.5 at +180, while DraftKings had Chicago +1.5 at -198. DraftKings posted a total of 6.5, with the over at +100 and the under at -120. Prices can move, particularly after goalie and lineup confirmations.
The Pittsburgh moneyline is the cleaner option at the quoted price. The Penguins’ scoring advantage supports the favorite, but laying 1.5 goals asks them to win decisively on the road. The total is less attractive before the starters are confirmed, given the mixed goaltending numbers and Chicago’s combination of low scoring and high goals allowed.
Prediction
Prediction: Penguins 4, Blackhawks 2.
Pittsburgh has the better early record, is scoring 1.67 more goals per game and has allowed substantially fewer goals per contest. Chicago’s struggling offense, weak early penalty kill and significant injury to Bedard make it difficult to back the home side without a larger price.
The main uncertainty is in net, followed by Rust’s game-time status and the limited size of the early-season sample. Still, the available evidence supports Pittsburgh to win. At the odds checked, the Penguins moneyline at -134 at FanDuel or BetRivers is the preferred consideration, subject to confirming the goalies and updated lineups.
