Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. In today’s round of NHL Predictions, we are looking at the game between the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Chicago Blackhawks. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Chicago Blackhawks
Time: 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: Sportsnet; Fan Duel Sports Sun; Chicago Sports Network; ESPN+
It’s the first meeting of the season between the Lightning and the Blackhawks. Both clubs are coming off losses entering this matchup. However, Tampa Bay seems like it will make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Chicago seems destined for another high selection in the NHL Draft Lottery. Something has to give as Tampa Bay has dropped three straight on the road and Chicago has been struggling at the United Center.
We’ll take a look at the matchup, storylines and lineups in this round of NHL prediction. Let’s breakdown the main points going into this game.
The Lightning Story
Tampa Bay is 5-4-1 in the last 10 games, but is coming off those two defeats as previously mentioned. Andrei Vasilevskiy is the projected starter for the Lightning. However, always check social media before locking in a daily fantasy starter. Tampa Bay does boast the top goal-scoring offence at 3.61 goals per game.
Brayden Point has been solid most of the season with 27 goals and 23 assists for the Lightning. Nikita Kucherov has been playing well as of late with five goals and 11 assists over the past 10 games for Tampa Bay.
The Blackhawks Story
Chicago is 3-5-2 entering tonight’s game and it looks like another year without post-season hockey. Petr Mrazek is the expected starter for the Blackhawks and carries a 3.26 goals-against-average going into this one. The Blackhawks struggling in scoring goals (31st and 2.6 goals scored) and giving up goals (29th at 3.43 goals allowed).
Connor Bedard has led the way most of the season with 13 goals with 28 assists for the Blackhawks. Tyler Bertuzzi has been averaging nearly a point a game as of late with six goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
Prediction
Tampa Bay has been struggling in the last couple of games. However, the Lightning have played well against the Blackhawks in recent years. The offence should carry Tampa Bay to another victory.
Prediction: Lightning win 5-2.
Prop Bets of the Night
We close out NHL predictions with some prop bets of the night. The over/under for the game is at 6.5 for this one. We like taking the over in this game thanks to Tampa’s offence. Odds for that are at -115 via BetMGM. On the Tampa Bay side, go with Jake Guentzel as an any time scorer with +165 odds. For Chicago, take Teuvo Teravainen to get the over on 0.5 points at +105. These odds are courtesy of BetMGM as well.
Main photo by: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
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