A couple of teams currently on losing streaks, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks collide at the United Center for an East-West matchup. NBC Sports Network will broadcast the matchup, and the action gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Monday, January 22.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
Tampa Bay (-135) is currently favored over Chicago (+115), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Tampa Bay is 31-15 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 8.0 units this season. 27 of its games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and none have pushed. The Bolts are 14-9 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Tampa Bay currently touts the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 24.5 percent of its extra-man opportunities this year. Its penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all penalties.
The Bolts, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.1 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, 4.2 per game over its past five total, and 4.2 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties 9.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Averaging 28.4 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (27-12-2) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this season. If it decides to give him a rest, however, the team might turn to Louis Domingue (1-7 record, .870 save percentage, 4.02 goals against average).
Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Lightning. Kucherov has 61 points on 27 goals and 34 assists, and has recorded multiple points 20 times. Stamkos has 17 goals and 37 assists to his name, and has logged at least one point in 31 games.
Chicago is 22-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.5 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 46 regular season matches, 24 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 12-11 SU at home.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.8 percent of all penalties.
Chicago players have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, 4.2 per game over their past five games total, and 3.4 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has stopped 27.9 shots per game as the primary option in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Patrick Kane (20 goals, 28 assists).
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The under has hit in three of Chicago’s last five outings.
Over Tampa Bay’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 3-5 in those games).
