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Blackhawks vs Lightning Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Lightning Go After Eighth Straight Win over Chicago
Tampa Bay Stresses Defense
The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to produce a better 60-minute defensive effort, and could be facing the right team in the right place Saturday when the Chicago Blackhawks pay a visit.
The Lightning are 23-5-5 at home this season and have won the last seven meetings with Chicago, but they have struggled defensively the past seven games overall while surrendering 33 goals combined. Tampa Bay owns a victory in its last seven games (1-4-2) after a 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime on Thursday.
The Blackhawks are tied for last in the Western Conference in points, and at the bottom of the league in scoring at 2.49 goals per game following a 4-3 overtime loss at the Florida Panthers on Friday. Chicago also has one win in a seven-game stretch (1-5-1).
Chicago is in rebuilding mode while the Lightning still have eyes on a fourth straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final. According to the Las Vegas hockey odds, the Lightning are +650 (fifth) to win the Eastern Conference and +1400 to take the Stanley Cup (tied for sixth).
Let’s check the latest NHL news, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines for Blackhawks vs Lightning.We’ve got plenty of NHL picks for you.
Blackhawks Still Battling
Chicago Blackhawks had won five straight before its recent seven-game swoon, but has scored 11 times in the past three contests.
Cole Guttman, who was drafted by Tampa Bay but chose to become a free agent and sign with the Hawks this offseason, scored his fourth goal in his 13th NHL game Friday. Guttman started on a line with two former Lightning forwards – Tyler Johnson and Taylor Raddysh.
Chicago’s top two scorers — Patrick Kane and Max Domi – were traded and defenseman Seth Jones leads the way with 10 goals and 31 points.
The over in NHL betting lines is 6-1-1 in the Blackhawks’ last eight road games and 5-1-0 in the past five against an Eastern Conference opponent.
Kucherov Leads Tampa Bay
Former Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov has scored at least a point in 23 straight games at home for the Lightning after registering three goals and three assists in the past two contests.
Kucherov scored his 26th goal and then set up the tying tally in Thursday’s contest against Vegas after scoring twice in the win over Philadelphia at home on Tuesday. Kucherov’s linemate Brayden Point recorded two goals Thursday to tie his career high (41) and has scored 9 times in his past 10 games.
Brayden Point hit the 40-goal mark in 65 games and became the fastest @TBLightning skater to score 40 goals since Steven Stamkos in 2011-12 (58 GP).#NHLStats: https://t.co/42V9cYoppH pic.twitter.com/dnlRFCBuO5
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 10, 2023
Scoring is not a problem for Tampa Bay, though. The Lightning are giving up too many quality chances and top defenseman Victor Hedman is day-to-day with an upper-body injury after missing the past two contests. The over is 4-0-1 in the last five Lightning games overall and 5-1 in the past six home contests, according to NHL lines.
However, Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper was optimistic after the loss Thursday with his team looking at six games in the next nine days.
“I liked everything about the game”, Cooper told reporters. “We deserved points tonight. You look at that little slide we had, this is a completely different team”.
Blackhawks vs Lightning Game Injuries
Blackhawks vs Lightning Head-to-Head
The Lightning has dominated the Blackhawks of late, extending their winning streak to seven meetings after a 4-1 triumph at Chicago on Jan. 3 and gaining at least a point for the 27th time in 28 matchups.
Kucherov was shut out in the latest meeting, but former Blackhawk Brandon Hagel recorded a goal and an assist. Backup Brian Elliott got the victory in that contest, making 25 saves. Tampa Bay’s No. 1 goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is one win from reaching 30 for the sixth straight season and is 13-0-0 career versus Chicago.
The over is 5-2-1 in the last eight meetings and 4-0-1 in the last five Lightning games overall if you are online gambling.
Blackhawks vs Lightning Game Information
- Game: Chicago Blackhawks (22-37-6) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (38-21-6)
- Day/Time: Saturday, March 11, 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
- Blackhawks vs Lightning Live Stream: NHL.TV
Blackhawks vs Lightning Betting Lines
Blackhawks vs Lightning Picks and Prediction
Chicago showed some life at the end of February, but it has been rough for the Blackhawks since with trades and injuries changing the lineup constantly.
It will be difficult for Chicago after playing Friday. In addition, the Blackhawks may have to go with Petr Mrazek in net for a second straight night after Alex Stalock (7-8-1, .920 save percentage) was scratched Friday with a non-COVID illness.
Tampa Bay appears to have a big advantage, especially if Vasilevskiy gets the start in the first of a back-to-back at home (Winnipeg on Sunday), after a better effort versus Vegas. We expect the Lightning to earn their second win in three games by multiple goals.
The Blackhawks are listed at +400 in our Las Vegas NHL odds. This means that if you wager $100 on Chicago, you have a chance to win $400. The Lightning are -500, offering a chance to win $20 on a $100 wager. The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives the Blackhawks a 20.00% chance to win, with Tampa Bay at 83.33%.
