Blackhawks vs Lightning Prediction
The Chicago Blackhawks will play the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Chicago has alternated losses and wins over their last five games, while Tampa Bay has won two of their last three.
Blackhawks Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 4-7-0 this season after they lost to the New Jersey Devils by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Chicago led 1-0 early in the first period, but New Jersey scored the next three goals to pull away. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 41-34 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Chicago’s only two wins in their last seven games came against Florida and Vegas. The Chicago Blackhawks are scoring 2.36 goals per game and they are allowing 3.46 goals against per game, while going 10.5% on the power play and 83.3% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led the Blackhawks this season with two goals, five assists, and 16 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 3-3-0 this year with a 2.81 goals against average and a .923 save percentage.
Lightning Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 6-3-4 this year after they defeated the Montreal Canadiens by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Tampa Bay scored the first four goals in the first period and they were able to hang on for the win in the third. The Lightning out shot Montreal by a total of 32-26 and went 2-5 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay lost to Toronto by a score of 6-5 in the game prior, but they did defeat Ottawa in the game before that. The Tampa Bay Lightning are scoring 3.85 goals per game and they are allowing 3.46 goals against per game, while going 34.1% on the power play and 87.2% on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov has led the Lightning this year with 10 goals, 12 assists, and 59 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Jonas Johansson, who is 5-1-4 this season with a 3.17 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts
- The Lightning have won each of their last eight games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games against the Blackhawks.
- The 'Over 2.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in three of the Lightning's last four games as favorites.
- The Lightning have won the third period in each of their last six games at Amalie Arena following a road win.
Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts
- The Blackhawks have won four of their last five games as underdogs following a home loss.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games at Amalie Arena.
- The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Blackhawks' last eight games following a home loss.
- The Blackhawks have lost the third period in each of their last four night games at Amalie Arena.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Hagel has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning's last eight games against Central Division opponents at Amalie Arena.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Blackhawks.
- Brandon Hagel has scored a goal in each of the Lightning's last three games against the Blackhawks.
- Nikita Kucherov ranks T1st in the league for multi-point games (7) this season.
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Taylor Hall has recorded a point in each of his last three appearances.
- Connor Bedard has scored a goal in three of the Blackhawks' last four games as underdogs.
- Seth Jones has recorded an assist in three of the Blackhawks' last four games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks 6th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (87.18%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks 25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.46).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 31st in the league for shots against per game this season (35.4).
- The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for shots per game this season (26.8).
Pick
Tampa Bay comes into this game struggling a little bit over their last five games, but they are 4-0-2 at home this year. Chicago is 3-4 on the road, but they have shown some signs of solid hockey this season. The Blackhawks are only scoring 2.36 goals per game and they have scored two goals or fewer in three of their last five games. Tampa Bay is the much better offensive team, but both teams are allowing 3.46 goals against per game. Tampa Bay has the better offense and the better power play, so I am going to take them -1.5 here.
