Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers prediction: Spencer Knight returns to Sunrise to face a Panthers shot barrage
Chicago's former Florida goalie needs a big night against a team that controls the puck, with Patrick Kane out and the Blackhawks still winless on the road.
| Line | Florida Panthers -250 (puck line -1.5) |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 6 |
- Florida should control the play: it ranks 7th in shot share, Chicago sits 31st and is 0-5-1 on the road.
- Spencer Knight (.894) against his old team, with Jacob Markstrom (.890) Florida's probable starter after an upper-body injury.
- Florida is -250 on the moneyline and the total rose from 5.75 to 6, but the Panthers are 5-10 on the puck line.
Knight comes home
Chicago has lost three straight and six of seven. The goalie it needs to stop the slide is facing the team that drafted him in the first round in 2019. Spencer Knight is the probable starter after playing Monday against Colorado, though Chicago hasn't confirmed it.
His season hasn't helped much. Knight carries a .894 save percentage and a 3.28 goals-against average, and the team in front of him ranks 28th in team save percentage at 87.3%.
Florida has split its crease between Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid. Markstrom is listed as the probable starter after returning from an upper-body injury, and his .890 mark and 2.50 goals-against average are the better numbers of the Florida pair. Neither club has named its starter, so check warmups.
Florida owns the puck
This game will likely be played in Chicago's end. Florida takes 54.0% of all shots in its games, and Chicago generates 23.0 shots per game, 31st in the league. The Blackhawks also win just 42.1% of their faceoffs, the worst rate in hockey, so they start too many shifts chasing.
Florida leads the league in hits, with 32.6 per game, a physical style that fits a team controlling the puck. Chicago's best hope is finishing the few chances it gets.
Florida's penalties cost less here
The Panthers live on both sides of the penalty box. They draw 4.53 power plays per game, most in the NHL, and they're also shorthanded more often than any team. Against most opponents that is a risk.
Against Chicago it mostly isn't. The Blackhawks' power play (goals per opportunity) converts just 10.6%, last in the league. Florida's own unit runs at 23.5%, so the extra power plays should favor the Panthers.
Who is missing
Chicago lists Patrick Kane out with an upper-body injury after he left Monday's loss in the second period; coach Jeff Blashill said he will miss at least the next couple of games. Bowen Byram was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, and Ryan Ellis is out for the season. That leaves Connor Bedard carrying the attack with 10 points in nine games.
Florida is still without Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand, both on injured reserve and weeks from returning. The Panthers have scored anyway: Matthew Tkachuk leads them with 21 points, and Brady Tkachuk has eight goals.
What the market says
Books have Florida at -250 and Chicago at +210, and the total has moved from 5.75 to 6 since our feed first saw the game. The puck line needs a two-goal Florida win, and that has been a problem for the Panthers this season: they are 5-10 against it. They beat Chicago 3-2 on Oct. 25 as a -198 favorite and didn't cover.
Florida has won all three meetings over the last two seasons. Whether it wins by two depends on how well Knight plays against his old team.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers line movement and odds
| Book | Blackhawks ML | Panthers ML | Blackhawks spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | +200 | -250 | +1.5 (-118) | o6 (-110) |
| BetRivers | +200 | -240 | +1.5 (-134) | o5.5 (-137) |
| DraftKings | +205 | -250 | +1.5 (-125) | o5.5 (-135) |
| ESPN BET | +200 | -240 | +1.5 (-120) | o5.5 (-135) |
| Fanatics | +210 | -260 | +1.5 (-125) | o6.5 (+115) |
| FanDuel | +210 | -260 | +1.5 (-115) | o5.5 (-140) |
| Hard Rock Bet | +185 | -240 | +1.5 (-130) | o5.5 (-145) |
| Caesars | +205 | -250 | +1.5 (-118) | o6 (-107) |
Where the money is on Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers
On the Kalshi moneyline: Chicago Blackhawks: 34% of bets, 28% of the money; Florida Panthers: 66% of bets, 72% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Florida Panthers -1.5: 84% of bets, 98% of the money; Chicago Blackhawks +1.5: 16% of bets, 2% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 5.5: 73% of bets, 99% of the money; Under 5.5: 27% of bets, 2% of the money.
Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers stats (this season)
| Stat | Chicago Blackhawks | Florida Panthers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 4-10-1 | 8-5-2 |
| Goals per game | 2.20 (31st of 32) | 3.13 (16th of 32) |
| Goals allowed per game | 3.87 (31st of 32) | 2.93 (9th of 32) |
| Goal differential per game | -1.67 (32nd of 32) | 0.20 (11th of 32) |
| Shots on goal per game | 23.0 (31st of 32) | 28.7 (8th of 32) |
| Shots allowed per game | 30.3 (29th of 32) | 24.5 (3rd of 32) |
| Shot share | 43.1% (31st of 32) | 54.0% (7th of 32) |
| Shooting % | 9.6% (28th of 32) | 10.9% (22nd of 32) |
| Team save % | 87.3% (28th of 32) | 88.0% (20th of 32) |
| Power play % | 10.6% (32nd of 32) | 23.5% (10th of 32) |
| Penalty kill % | 79.6% (15th of 32) | 83.9% (9th of 32) |
| Faceoff % | 42.1% (32nd of 32) | 48.3% (23rd of 32) |
Key players
- Spencer Knight (Chicago Blackhawks): Knight has a .894 save percentage and 3.28 goals-against average in 12 games this season.
- Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks): Bedard has 10 points in nine games this season and becomes the focus of Chicago's attack with Kane out.
- Roman Kantserov (Chicago Blackhawks): Kantserov leads Chicago with six goals this season, scoring on 25.0% of his shots.
- Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers): Tkachuk leads Florida with 21 points this season, including 17 assists.
- Brady Tkachuk (Florida Panthers): Brady Tkachuk has eight goals on a team-high 48 shots this season.
- Jacob Markstrom (Florida Panthers): Markstrom has a .890 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against average in seven games this season.
Numbers that matter
| Florida shot share | 54.0% | Florida ranks 7th in its share of all shots, while Chicago sits 31st. |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago power play | 10.6% | The league's worst power play limits the cost of Florida's frequent penalties. |
| Florida power plays drawn | 4.53 | Florida draws more power plays per game than any team in the NHL. |
| Florida puck line record | 5-10 | The Panthers have often won without covering, including the Oct. 25 meeting with Chicago. |
| Florida moneyline | -250 | Florida is a heavy favorite against a Chicago team that is 0-5-1 on the road. |
Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers: quick answers
What is the over/under for Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers?
The total is 6 goals.
When is Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers?
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM ET.
Where is Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers played?
Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise.
Has the line moved for Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers?
No: Chicago Blackhawks has stayed at +1.5, and the total is still 5.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on Chicago Blackhawks vs Florida Panthers?
On the Kalshi moneyline: Chicago Blackhawks: 34% of bets, 28% of the money; Florida Panthers: 66% of bets, 72% of the money. On the Kalshi spread: Florida Panthers -1.5: 84% of bets, 98% of the money; Chicago Blackhawks +1.5: 16% of bets, 2% of the money. On the Kalshi total: Over 5.5: 73% of bets, 99% of the money; Under 5.5: 27% of bets, 2% of the money.