Lightning vs Blackhawks Prediction

pickdawgz.com

16 November 2023

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Tampa Bay has lost three games in a row, while Chicago has alternated losses and wins over their last five games.

Lightning Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 6-6-4 this year after they lost to the St. Louis Blues by a score of 5-0 in their last game. Tampa Bay allowed one goal in the first, two in the second, and two in the third for the shutout loss. The Lightning out shot St. Louis by a total of 30-29 and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay was also shut out in their previous game against the Hurricanes by a score of 4-0. The Lightning are scoring 3.31 goals per game and they are allowing 3.69 goals against per game, while going 30.2% on the power play and 85.1% on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov has led the Lightning with 11 goals, 12 assists, and 67 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Jonas Johansson, who is 5-4-4 this year with a 3.47 goals against average and a .896 save percentage.

Blackhawks Preview

The Chicago Blackhawks are 5-8-0 this season after they lost to the Florida Panthers by a score of 4-3 in their last game. Chicago tied the game at three in the second period, but they allowed the only goal in the third for the loss. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 31-26 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Chicago has not won back to back games at any point this season. The Chicago offense is scoring 2.62 goals per game and they are allowing 3.46 goals against per game, while going 10.9% on the power play and 79.5% on the penalty kill. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with nine goals, four assists, and 43 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Petr Mrazek, who is 4-3-0 this season with a 2.84 goals against average and a .921 save percentage.

Chicago Blackhawks Team Facts

The Blackhawks have lost nine of their last 10 games at United Center.
The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the last four games between the Lightning and Blackhawks at United Center.
The Blackhawks have lost the third period in nine of their last 10 games as home underdogs following a road loss.
The 'Over 2.5 Goals Period 1' market has hit in each of the Blackhawks' last six games as underdogs.

Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts

The Lightning have won nine of their last 10 games at United Center.
The Lightning have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine games against the Blackhawks.
The Lightning have won the third period in each of their last five games against the Blackhawks.
The 'Over 1.5 Goals Period 3' market has hit in each of the Lightning's last seven night games at United Center.

Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts

Connor Bedard has scored at least one goal in five of the Blackhawks' last six games as underdogs.
Taylor Hall has recorded at least one point in each of his last five appearances in night games at United Center.
Philipp Kurashev has recorded two assists against the Lightning this season - equal-most against any opponent.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

Brandon Hagel has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances at United Center.
Brayden Point has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning's last seven games as favorites against the Blackhawks.
Brayden Point has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning's last five games against the Blackhawks at United Center.
Brayden Point ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (3) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 31st in the league for shots per game this season (27.0).
The Chicago Blackhawks ranks 30th in the league for shots against per game this season (34.8).
The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
The Tampa Bay Lightning ranks T1st in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.44).

Pick

Tampa Bay comes into this game searching for a goal, after being shutout in two straight games. The Lightning have been out scored 9-0 in their last two games and they are only 2-4-2 on the road. Chicago is 1-3-0 at home and they are only scoring 2.62 goals per game this year. These two teams did meet on 11/9, with Tampa Bay winning by a score of 5-3 at home. With the Lightning playing as poorly as they are right now, I think we have some value with Chicago at home. Take the Blackhawks here.