The Chicago Blackhawks are hosting the New York Rangers in primetime. Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions! Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey analyze the day’s games and provide in-depth analysis. We break down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might play out. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch TV: TNT, Tru TV, HBO Max, MSG, TVAS
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks 0-0 Rangers
Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks take on Artemi Panarin and the Rangers in a star-studded matchup.
Blackhawks Return Home after Tough California Trip
After finding a way to get two points on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, the Hawks’ results over the weekend were forgettable. The club lost to the Kings and the Ducks by a combined score of 13-1. All of a sudden, the team enters this matchup against the Rangers with a 2-6-2 record in their last ten games and sits one point out of the second wild card spot. However, superstar Connor Bedard has continued to cement himself as one of the game’s best players, despite Chicago’s struggles. He has points in four of his last five games and picked up an assist on the team’s lone goal over the weekend.
In both Saturday and Sunday’s games, there was not a lot to be happy about. They were outshot in both matchups and put up their worst performance of the season on Sunday. The defensive effort was not up to par. The Ducks outshot the Hawks 53-20, and multiple Chicago defenders ended up on the ice for multiple goals against. Connor Murphy and Matt Grzelcyk were a minus-three, while only Louis Crevier managed to be an even player. Teuvo Teravainen returned to the lineup and, while he was ineffective, his return should provide a nice spark moving forward. In net, goaltender Arvid Soderblom surrendered all seven goals, but did manage 46 saves. Spencer Knight saw the net on Saturday and will be looking for a bounce-back effort against the Rangers.
Rangers Looking to Continue Strong Play
The Rangers enter this game as one of the many teams in the wild-card race of a crowded Eastern Conference. Currently, the team is 15-12-4 and has found points in four-straight games. Strangely, however, is how much better the Rangers play on the road than at Madison Square Garden. The team is 12-4-1 on the road, while at the Garden, their record is down at 3-8-3, with a -15 goal differential, tied for league-worst. To compound New York’s issues, they are without top-defenceman Adam Fox until at least Christmas, as he is recovering from an upper-body injury.
Their most recent game against the Vegas Golden Knights was a tough one to drop. After Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafreniere scored in the second to take a 2-1 lead, the team surrendered the tying goal in the third before dropping the game in overtime. In this matchup, the Rangers will need key performances from Artemi Panarin, along with Zibanejad and Lafreniere. Panarin leads the way in scoring, while J.T. Miller and Will Cuylle are both approaching 20 points. Defensively, the offensive play that Fox provides will have to be undertaken by the likes of Braden Schneider, Vladislav Gavrikov and Carson Soucy. After dealing away K’Andre Miller, New York’s blueline is going to have to find offence in any way they can. In the net, Jonathan Quick saw action on Sunday, so starting netminder Igor Shesterkin, who boasts a .913 save percentage, should be in the crease against the Hawks. However, this is a good chance to add our disclaimer. Please check social media for the very latest lineup news before locking in your daily fantasy rosters.
NHL Prediction
This is an important matchup for both sides. The Rangers have played well on the road, and expect that to continue as Shesterkin is back in the crease.
Prediction: Rangers win 3-1
Main Photo Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec. 10 Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Rangers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.