Chicago and Pittsburgh open their season against each other with Chicago basically ending Pittsburgh’s season last year when Chicago won 5-2 in Pittsburgh a game Pittsburgh was huge favorites in.

Chicago is still at the beginning of their rebuild but after winning the draft lottery will have their future franchise player Connor Bedard starting his rookie season. Connor has shown his skills everywhere he has played so far but now will have to face some of the best defenses in the world.

Pittsburgh is not one of those best defenses as Pittsburgh’s defense core is the main weakness of the team. Pittsburgh improved their offense during the offseason with Reilly Smith and Erik Karlsson as well as getting rid of other players who were not performing.

Pittsburgh is -230 in this game on the ML or -130 to win in regulation. While I do like Pittsburgh as a side my favorite play in this game is the OVER 6.5 5 of the last 7 meetings between the teams have gone OVER 6.5 and Chicago has one of if not the worst Defense/Goaltending combos in the NHL and Defense/Goaltending is a question mark for Pittsburgh as well.

Pick: Over 6.5 (-110)