The Chicago Blackhawks (11-9-5) hit the road for the first leg of a four-game Western swing, facing a Vegas Golden Knights (11-6-8) team that’s found its footing at home amid a rollercoaster start to the season. At T-Mobile Arena, where the Knights have posted a 6-4-4 mark and boast a potent power play (3rd in NHL at 30.2%), this Central-Pacific clash revives the ghosts of their 2020 playoff bubble—where Vegas swept Chicago in five games en route to the Cup Final. The Blackhawks, buoyed by Connor Bedard’s superstar emergence (37 points, tied for 2nd league-wide), snapped a five-game skid with a 5-3 comeback win over Anaheim on November 30, but Vegas’ depth and Jack Eichel’s playmaking (32 points) could exploit Chicago’s defensive inconsistencies (11th in GA at 2.9 per game). With goaltending duels pitting Spencer Knight’s recent steadiness (.905 SV%) against a potential Carter Hart debut for Vegas, expect a high-event affair where special teams tip the scales—perhaps a 4-3 Knights victory if Bedard doesn’t steal the show.
Venue
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, 3780 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109. Capacity: 17,500. This glitzy Strip landmark, the Golden Knights’ home since their 2017 inception, pulses with neon energy and a rabid fanbase that turns every game into a spectacle—especially against Original Six relics like Chicago, where the “Sin City” crowd amplifies Vegas’ transition attack.
Puckdrop: 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT). Broadcast: ESPN+ (national streaming), CHSN (Blackhawks local), Bally Sports West (Golden Knights local), NHL Network (highlights). Late-night slot draws national eyes, with pre-game hype on NHL Tonight focusing on Hart’s controversial return.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Central/Pacific Division Standings | Key Stats (GF / GA / Power Play %) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 11-9-5 | 5-4-2 Home / 6-5-3 Away | 4th (3-3-2 div.) | 3.2 / 2.9 / 20.0% |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 11-6-8 | 6-4-4 Home / 5-2-4 Away | 3rd (3-3-3 div.) | 2.8 / 2.7 / 30.2% |
Chicago ranks 12th in GF (80 total) with a +8 differential, while Vegas sits 17th in GF (71) but edges the Hawks in GA (67, 12th league-wide), powering their playoff push with elite special teams.
Recent Team Forms
Chicago rebounds from a skid; Vegas mixes wins with ties in a middling stretch.
Blackhawks (2-3-0 in last 5): Chicago erupted for a 5-3 comeback win over Anaheim on November 30 (Bedard’s two goals, two assists), snapping a five-game slide that included losses at Minnesota (4-3 OT, Nov. 27), vs. Nashville (4-3, Nov. 25), vs. Tampa Bay (5-1, Nov. 23), and at Florida (3-2, Nov. 21). Averaging 3.2 GF/3.6 GA in the window, with Knight’s .905 SV% providing stability—road form resilient (6-5-3, +0.4 diff.), but ATS 2-3 reflects tight losses.
Golden Knights (1-2-2 in last 5): Vegas edged San Jose 4-3 on November 30 (Hertl’s two goals), but prior: L to Montreal (4-1, Nov. 28), L to Ottawa (4-3 SO, Nov. 26), W over San Jose (4-3, Nov. 24? Wait, repeat—sequence: L 3-2 vs. Rangers, Nov. 18). GF/GA at 2.8/2.7 lately, with Eichel’s 32 points fueling—home form steady (6-4-4, +0.2 diff.), ATS 2-3 amid ties.
Injury Report
Vegas enters with a clean bill, bolstered by Carter Hart’s eligibility, while Chicago’s depth holds firm. Updates as of December 1, 2025 (NHL official report, 6:00 PM ET).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Blackhawks | None listed | All available | Full rotation intact; Bedard/Kurashev line humming. | Minimal disruption; youth movement thrives. |
| Golden Knights | Adin Hill (G) | OUT | Lower body (IR since Oct. 20; multi-week). | Starter (.917 SV%); Schmid/Lindbom tandem holds (-0.2 QS% without). |
| Golden Knights | Carter Hart (G) | PROBABLE | Suspension ended (debut eligible; practiced with AHL affiliate). | Backup/spot starter (3.07 GAA in AHL); 80% chance—adds depth post-22-month absence. |
Vegas’ health edge amplifies their forecheck.
Series History
This post-bubble rivalry, born in 2017, sees Vegas dominating with a 19-5-2 all-time edge (.731 win%). The Knights swept the 2020 playoffs (4-0), but Chicago’s lone win came in a 3-1 regular-season upset on August 16, 2020.
Last 10 Meetings: Golden Knights 7-3, including a 3-1 Vegas W on April 16, 2024. Blackhawks’ last win: 3-1 on Aug. 16, 2020.
At T-Mobile Arena: Knights 8-2-1 all-time vs. Hawks; Chicago’s last W there: None since 2018.
Trends: Overs in 6/10 (avg. 6.2 goals); Vegas 15-3-3 SU all-time vs. CHI. Hawks 1-2 ATS last 3 as road dogs.
Vegas’ mastery (2-game streak) sets revenge tone.
Key Player Matchups
Hart’s debut spotlights stars—these battles could dictate tempo.
Connor Bedard (Blackhawks C) vs. Jack Eichel (Golden Knights C): Bedard’s wizardry (37P: 16G/21A) tests Eichel’s two-way (32P: 11G/21A); faceoff duel (Bedard 51% vs. Eichel 53%) controls play—3+ combined points projected.
Philipp Kurashev (Blackhawks C) vs. Tomas Hertl (Golden Knights C): Kurashev’s chemistry with Bedard (20P) clashes with Hertl’s net-front (two G vs. SJS); PP battle favors VGK’s 30.2% unit.
Seth Jones (Blackhawks D) vs. Shea Theodore (Golden Knights D): Jones’ shutdown (+ rating) contains Theodore’s PP QB (assists leader); transition edges CHI (+2 shots projected).
Spencer Knight (Blackhawks G) vs. Akira Schmid (Golden Knights G): Knight’s rebound (.905 SV%) vs. Schmid’s volume (0-0-2 last two, 7 GA); quality duel tips under.
Hawks’ top line edges if Hart backs up.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: Vegas 10-12 as -295+ faves; CHI 11-13 as +235+ dogs (45.8% upset rate).
Puck Line: VGK covers 5-5 home; CHI 7-4 PL road dogs.
Total (O/U): Overs 11/25 CHI/11/25 VGK; H2H avg. 6.2 (6/10 over).
Trends: CHI 4-1 ATS last 5; VGK 3-7 ATS post-loss.
Game Odds
Chicago Blackhawks 6
Vegas Golden Knights – 275
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 1, 2025
