{"id":434268,"date":"2023-11-16T09:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T14:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=434268"},"modified":"2023-11-15T13:15:55","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T18:15:55","slug":"nhl-predictions-tampa-bay-lightning-vs-chicago-blackhawks-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2023\/11\/16\/nhl-predictions-tampa-bay-lightning-vs-chicago-blackhawks-3\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning Vs. Chicago Blackhawks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today\u2019s NHL Predictions features a rematch that took place a week ago. The\u00a0<\/span>Tampa Bay Lightning<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(6-6-4) have not scored a goal in their last 120 minutes of hockey. The offence looks dead out there, even with the return of\u00a0<\/span>Nikita Kucherov<\/span><\/a>. Additionally, the Lightning are now on a three-game losing streak.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other side of this matchup, the\u00a0<\/span>Chicago Blackhawks<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(5-8) look for the youngsters to continue their success.\u00a0<\/span>Connor Bedard<\/span><\/a>\u00a0leads the charge with nine goals in 13 games as an 18-year-old.\u00a0<\/span>Kevin Korchinski<\/span><\/a>\u00a0shows signs of being a legitimate top-pairing defenceman in the making. In addition,\u00a0<\/span>Nick Foligno<\/span><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Corey Perry<\/span><\/a>\u00a0provide a great leadership group and supporting cast.<\/span><\/p>\n

On a good note,\u00a0<\/span>Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/span><\/a>\u00a0practiced with the team on Monday. That is a positive sign to get Tampa Bay in the right direction. Tampa Bay will return home on Saturday to play the\u00a0<\/span>Edmonton Oilers<\/span><\/a>. The club has a record of 2-4-2 away from home ice this season. Here are the keys to victory for the Lightning in this matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n

NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay vs Chicago<\/span><\/h2>\n

Three Keys to Victory for Tampa Bay<\/span><\/h3>\n

Find the Offence<\/span><\/h4>\n

The Tampa Bay offence was held scoreless in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2015-16 season. With the return of Kucherov, the Lightning still did not find the back of the net against the Blues. However,\u00a0<\/span>Jordan Binnington<\/span><\/a>\u00a0pieced together an excellent game in goal. Binnington ranks first in goals saved above expected (7.34 GSAx) at 5v5.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another note is that Kucherov was absent from the top power-play unit two games ago. Furthermore, the Lightning only drew two penalties against the Blues, one coming with roughly 20 seconds left in the third period. A lack of power play success and opportunity is a cause of the scoring drought. The Lightning drew four penalties against the Blackhawks last Thursday, so more opportunity should present itself there.<\/span><\/p>\n

A change in the offensive system will fix their struggles as opposed to a change in line combinations. The line combinations were not an issue just a few games ago when the Lightning scored four first-period goals in back-to-back games. The Lightning must produce more shots in between the circles through the “Royal Road”. The team has talented finishers to bury shots from those pockets in the slot. They are producing high-danger chances and rank fifth in high-danger Corsi per hour (13.42) at 5v5. However, these shots come from a slight angle by the faceoff dots and are not directly challenging the goaltender.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

From the Tampa Bay 5v5 offence <\/span>Shot Map<\/span><\/a>\u00a0from\u00a0<\/span>HockeyViz<\/span><\/a>, we can conclude that the team struggles to produce shots in the high slot. The blue regions identify a team that generates <\/span>less\u00a0<\/span><\/em>than the league average rate of shots, and the red regions<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Lock on Bedard<\/span><\/h4>\n

As we mentioned in predictions last week, do not underestimate number 98 in Chicago. Bedard experienced his “Welcome to the NHL” moment against the Lightning last Thursday, collecting two goals and four points. Then, Bedard went on to score two more goals on Sunday. The kid is on an absolute tear and loves to pick his corner on the left side of the net. Bedard is tied with\u00a0<\/span>Teuvo Teravainen<\/span><\/a>\u00a0for the league lead, scoring seven goals on the left side of goalies.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Bedard is tied with Teuvo Teravainen in goals scored on the left-side of goalies (7). <\/p>\n

(over left arm + over left pad + over left shoulder + left armpit + far left side). <\/p>\n

Kucherov is 3rd (6) @HockeyAnalytics<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9U9Eh9joQW<\/a><\/p>\n

— Meghan Chayka (@MeghanChayka) November 15, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n