The Chicago Blackhawks host Original Six rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. 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. Detroit Red Wings
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch TV: ESPN+, FDSN Detroit, CHSN
Head-to-Head: Blackhawks lead 1-0
Patrick Kane returns to Chicago for an Original Six matchup against the Connor Bedard-less, Chicago Blackhawks. Bedard suffered an injury last night versus the St. Louis Blues, and is ruled out for today.
The First Matchup
The Blackhawks beat the Red Wings 5-1 in early November for their eighth win of the season. The game was the final of a season-long six-game road trip. The score, however, was not indicative of who controlled the play. Detroit outshot the Hawks 46-20, but could not solve Arvid Soderblom, who stopped 45 shots. Offensively, all five goals were scored by forwards, starting with Connor Bedard’s first-period marker. Teuvo Teravainen added one in the second before Tyler Bertuzzi, Andre Burakovsky and Oliver Moore netted goals in the third to seal the victory. Bedard and defenceman Artyom Levshunov collected two assists each. The Hawks are looking for a similar offensive performance in this one.
Blackhawks Return Home After One-Game Stint in St. Louis
The Hawks come into this game 13-12-6 after yesterday’s loss to the St. Louis Blues. This is the third back-to-back scenario for the Hawks, who are looking for some better results. Coming into the weekend, Chicago lost all five games in back-to-backs this year. Last night, the Hawks fell down 2-0 in the first period before Wyatt Kaiser got the team back within one. After Justin Faulk made it 3-1 St. Louis, Andre Burakovsky scored, his second point of the night, to make the score 3-2, which held. Connor Bedard assisted on both Chicago goals and increased his team lead in points to 44. In the net, Spencer Knight stopped 23 of 26 shots, which ultimately gave him the loss.
As mentioned, the team has struggled in back-to-back scenarios. With a victory, tonight’s game would be the first win in a back-to-back of the season. Bedard, Bertuzzi and Frank Nazar will have to continue to lead the scoring charge, while Hawks defenders will be tasked with stopping Detroit’s high-flying attack. Between the pipes, Arvid Soderblom will get the nod with Knight starting against the Blues. Soderblom is looking for a repeat of his success in the Hawks and Red Wings’ first matchup.
Red Wings Looking to Get Back into Win Column
Detroit comes into this game on the heels of a loss to the Edmonton Oilers that snapped a three-game winning streak. The Red Wings played well, but a hat-trick from Zach Hyman and a four-assist performance from Connor McDavid were too much to handle. Youngster Simon Edvinsson netted the lone Red Wings goal, his fourth, while rookie Nate Danielson and Elmer Soderblom tallied assists. Danielson moves to seven points in his first 17 career games, while Soderblom has just two points in 19 games this season. Cam Talbot saw the crease against the Oilers and stopped 25 of 29 Edmonton shots. John Gibson should be back between the pipes tonight.
The Red Wings are led by a three-headed monster up front. Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin are the only players with over 30 points, while Larkin leads the way with 17 goals. Patrick Kane makes his return to the United Center in the midst of yet another productive season, with 21 points in 23 games. Rookie Emmitt Finnie has been a nice surprise for Detroit as well. The 2023 seventh-rounder has netted six goals and produced some unexpected offence. On the blue line, cornerstone Moritz Seider leads Detroit defenders with 22 points and logs over 25 minutes per game. Additionally, Axel Sandin Pellikka has 11 points in his rookie campaign, stepping into a big role early. The team is looking to pick up a big win to close out the road trip.
NHL Prediction
This game should be tough and tight the entire way. However, expect the Hawks to bounce back and outlast the Wings in overtime.
Prediction: Blackhawks win 3-2 (OT)
Prop Bets:
For our prop bets, check out these anytime scorers. We like the former Blackhawk, Alex DeBrincat to find twine for the Winged Wheel. Meanwhile, another player with connections to other colours, take Tyler Bertuzzi for the Blackhawks.
Main Photo: David Banks-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Dec. 13 Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.