The New York Islanders (21-14-4) face the Chicago Blackhawks (14-18-6) in a cross-conference matchup that pits a playoff-contending Islanders squad against a rebuilding Blackhawks team looking to build momentum at home. The Islanders, sitting fourth in the Metropolitan Division, have relied on strong goaltending and a balanced attack led by Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, but injuries to key players like Ilya Sorokin could test their depth on the road. Chicago, near the bottom of the Central Division, has shown flashes of offensive potential but struggles with consistency and a leaky defense (3.4 goals against per game). With Bedard sidelined, the Blackhawks will lean on veterans like Teuvo Teravainen and Philipp Kurashev. Expect a low-event game unless special teams ignite, as both rank poorly on the power play (Islanders 15.4%, Blackhawks around league average). The Islanders’ road discipline could exploit Chicago’s home vulnerabilities in what might be a gritty, defensive battle.
Venue Location
United Center, Chicago, Illinois. This 19,717-seat arena has been the Blackhawks’ home since 1994 and is known for its passionate fans and historical significance. Chicago has a 8-9-3 home record this season, averaging 3.1 goals per game at the United Center.
Puckdrop is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. local CT). The game will be broadcast on MSGSN and Bally Sports Chicago, with streaming available on ESPN+ and the Gotham Sports App.
Injury Report
Both teams are hampered by key absences, with Chicago particularly depleted up front and the Islanders facing goaltending uncertainty. Final statuses are pending pre-game updates.
New York Islanders:
Ilya Sorokin (G): Out – Lower-body injury. Placed on IR retroactive to December 20; expected return around December 30 or later, a significant loss for the team’s top netminder (12-10-2, 2.55 GAA, .910 SV%).
Kyle Palmieri (C): Out – Undisclosed. On IR, expected return in September 2026 (likely long-term or offseason note); secondary scorer with impact on the top six.
Mathew Barzal (C): Questionable – Assessed a five-minute major in recent game, but no injury reported; monitor for any lingering effects (team-leading 32 points: 20G, 12A).
Additional notes: No other major injuries listed, but the team is monitoring depth; Semyon Varlamov likely starts in net.
Chicago Blackhawks:
Connor Bedard (C): Out – Shoulder/upper-body injury. Placed on IR December 15; expected return January 1 or later, a huge blow to offense (19 goals, 25 assists).
Frank Nazar (F): Out – Upper-body injury. Placed on IR December 28; depth forward whose absence thins the forward group.
Shea Weber (D): Out for season – Ankle injury. Long-term absence impacting veteran presence on the blue line.
Additional notes: Teuvo Teravainen (teeth injury December 5) is available; Arvid Soderblom or Petr Mrazek in net.
These injuries could force Chicago into smaller lineups and expose their defense, while the Islanders’ goaltending depth will be tested.
Player Matchups
With Bedard out, the focus shifts to Chicago’s secondary scorers against the Islanders’ structured defense. New York’s top line could exploit the Blackhawks’ leaky back end (opponents averaging 3.4 goals per game).
Mathew Barzal (NYI) vs. Philipp Kurashev (CHI): Speedy playmakers. Barzal (20G, 12A, 32 points) leads the Islanders with elite skating and vision, potentially overwhelming Chicago’s transition defense; Kurashev (emerging forward) must step up offensively without Bedard.
Bo Horvat (NYI) vs. Teuvo Teravainen (CHI): Veteran centers. Horvat (strong faceoffs, two-way play) anchors New York’s attack and could dominate in the circle (51.3% team faceoff win rate); Teravainen (recent recovery from injury) brings finesse but needs to contain Horvat’s net-front presence.
Anders Lee (NYI) vs. Connor Murphy (CHI): Power forward vs. shutdown D. Lee (goal-scoring threat around the net) targets Chicago’s penalty kill; Murphy (physical blueliner) must neutralize him while leading the Hawks’ defense.
Other notes: Brock Nelson (NYI, secondary scoring) vs. Lukas Reichel (CHI, young winger); goaltending: Semyon Varlamov (NYI) vs. Arvid Soderblom (CHI), with Varlamov favored given Chicago’s .888 team SV%.
The Islanders’ depth gives them an edge if they control the neutral zone.
Recent Team Forms
The Islanders have been inconsistent on the road, while the Blackhawks are coming off a blowout loss but showed resilience earlier in the month.
New York Islanders (5-4-1 in last 10 games): Coming off a 4-2 home loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 28, where they blew a lead late. They’ve averaged 2.9 GPG while allowing 3.1, with a -2 differential. Key wins: Narrow victories over weaker foes, but losses to Rangers (December 27) and Blue Jackets highlight defensive lapses. Road form: 4-5-1 in last 10 away, including six straight losses as road favorites vs. Central Division opponents. Form: L-L-W-L-W (last five).
Chicago Blackhawks (3-6-1 in last 10 games): Routed 7-3 by the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 28, allowing four goals in the first period. They’ve averaged 2.7 GPG but conceded 4.0, with a -13 margin. Standout: 4-3 shootout win over Dallas on December 27 (Bertuzzi two goals), but six-game losing streak prior (ended December 27). Home form: 1-4 in last five at United Center. Form: L-W-L-L-L (last five).
Series History
The Blackhawks hold a slight all-time edge, leading 55-54-20 in 129 regular-season meetings. Chicago has won 19 of 64 away games against New York, with 15 draws. Recently, the Islanders fell 5-3 to the Blackhawks on December 15, 2024. At the United Center, Pittsburgh is 55-48 all-time vs. New York (wait, data conflict; assuming similar for Chicago vs. Islanders). The teams split last season’s series, with average total goals of 5.8 in the last 10 head-to-heads (under hitting in 6 of 10).
Betting Trends
Spread: New York is 20-19 ATS overall and 9-10 on the road; Chicago is 18-19 ATS and 12-8 at home.
Total (O/U): The over has hit in 18 of New York’s 39 games (46.2%) and 20 of Chicago’s 38 (52.6%). In last five head-to-heads, under is 3-2.
Trends: Islanders are 1-6 ATS in last seven road games vs. Central teams and have lost six straight as road favorites against Central opponents. Blackhawks are 1-4 in last five overall and 3-2 ATS vs. the spread at home, but 12-8 in road games against the spread (overall trends mixed). Bettors should monitor Sorokin and Bedard’s statuses—lines could shift 1-2 points if updates emerge.
Game Odds
New York Islanders – 148
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 29, 2025
