Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 10/07/25

The 2025-26 NHL season is finally upon us, and it all kicks off with a battle between the Chicago Blackhawks and Florida Panthers. The Panthers begin the season by raising the Stanley Cup banner and look to start their run to become the first team to three-peat since the 1980’s. To get you set for the first regular season game of the NHL season, here are our Blackhawks vs. Panthers predictions.

It may come as little surprise to most that the Panthers are major favorites in this matchup. However, I am not counting out the Blackhawks. This is a young and exciting team with many young players who are looking to make their mark in the league. Who better to do it against than the best team in the NHL over the past two seasons. Florida has also played a ton of hockey over the past three seasons, as they have gone to each of the past three Stanley Cup Finals. That can make for short summers, meaning less rest and recovery. We have seen teams that play a deep season do poorly to start the next one. Plus, the Panthers are out arguably their two best players in Alex Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk to long-term injuries. This is a great opportunity for Chicago, and if they can’t win outright, I expect them to keep it close.

Blackhawks vs. Panthers predictions: Chicago Blackhawks +1.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable to (-125).

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