NHL Picks April 6, 2025: Penguins vs Blackhawks Prediction & Best Bets

Kingpin
Apr 6, 2025, 1:13:29 PM

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Chicago Blackhawks – 6:00 PM ET – United Center (ESPN+)

Moneyline: Penguins -135, Blackhawks +114
Over/Under: 6.5

Game Preview:

Two struggling Eastern and Western Conference teams meet Sunday night in Chicago as the Penguins visit the Blackhawks in Game 1 of a back-to-back. Pittsburgh is looking to build off a 5-3 upset of the Dallas Stars, while the Blackhawks are trying to stop yet another losing skid after falling 5-3 to Washington on Friday.

The Penguins (31-34-12) have been wildly inconsistent all season and have dropped 6 of their last 9 overall. However, they’ve been dominant as a favorite on the second leg of a back-to-back, going 8-0 in their last eight such games. Sidney Crosby continues to deliver elite production (86 points), while Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust offer enough firepower to test any defense. The biggest concern remains in net, where Tristan Jarry, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Joel Blomqvist have combined for sub-.890 save percentages and inflated GAAs.

Chicago (21-45-10) continues its rebuild but has shown signs of life at home, especially as an underdog. They’ve lost 5 straight overall but are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games vs the Penguins and have been covering frequently at the United Center. Rookie phenom Connor Bedard leads the team with 59 points, and Tyler Bertuzzi has scored in 4 straight home games against Metro opponents. Chicago's goaltending has been shaky, but their top line has the capability to keep things competitive.

The Penguins have dominated this head-to-head series historically, but Chicago is often a dangerous underdog, especially when teams are traveling on short rest.

Check out these articles for winning picks:

Best Bet: Over 6.5 Goals (-110)

Both teams have defensive issues and shaky goaltending — a perfect recipe for a high-scoring affair. Nine of the Penguins’ last 10 games have gone over the total, and each of Chicago’s last six home games after a road loss have also gone over. Neither team can afford to sit back, and both penalty kills have struggled mightily. This is one of the strongest NHL best bets today for total bettors.

Top Player Prop: Sidney Crosby Over 1.5 Points (+140)

Crosby has points in 12 straight games and thrives on back-to-backs. He’s also scored or assisted in every game on the second leg of a B2B this season and has had great success vs Central Division opponents. This is a plus-money gem among NHL player props today based on form and matchup.

Penguins vs Blackhawks Betting Trends:

Penguins are 8-0 SU as favorites on second game of a back-to-back
Penguins are 7-1 ATS in last 8 vs Central Division
Blackhawks are 12-3 ATS in last 15 vs Penguins
Blackhawks are 1-9 SU in their last 10 night games
Over is 9-1 in Penguins’ last 10 games
Over is 6-0 in Blackhawks’ last 6 home games following a road loss

Penguins vs Blackhawks FAQ

Who is favored in Penguins vs Blackhawks on April 6, 2025?
The Pittsburgh Penguins are -135 road favorites over the Chicago Blackhawks.

What time is puck drop for Penguins vs Blackhawks?
Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 PM ET at United Center, airing on ESPN+.

What is the Over/Under for today’s game?
The total is 6.5 goals — both teams have been trending toward high-scoring outcomes.

What’s the best player prop for this game?
Sidney Crosby Over 1.5 points (+140) is excellent value given his 12-game point streak and dominance in back-to-backs.

What’s the betting angle on the total?
The Over has hit in 9 of the Penguins’ last 10 and 6 straight at home for the Blackhawks following a road loss — expect goals.

Who has the edge: Pittsburgh or Chicago?
The Penguins are the better team on paper, but the Blackhawks have covered in 12 of the last 15 meetings and play tough as home dogs.