Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and the Chicago Blackhawks will do battle against Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena for an East-West matchup. Fox Sports Sun will broadcast the matchup, and the action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 27.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds
Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.
Tampa Bay is 40-23 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 3.2 units this year. That winning percentage, ranked first in the NHL in this young season, is a regression from the 62-20 record that the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 63 games this season, 32 have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just four have pushed. Thus far, the team’s 20-10 SU at home.
The Lightning have converted on 23.2 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.0 percent of all penalties.
Sporting a .915 save percentage and 28.1 saves per game, Andrei Vasilevskiy (32 wins, 15 losses, and three OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for Tampa Bay this season. If the Bolts choose to rest him, however, Tampa Bay could turn to Curtis McElhinney (8-8-8 record, .911 save percentage, 2.76 goals against average).
Over on the visiting bench, Chicago is 27-36 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 63 regular season contests, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just one has pushed. As the away team, the Blackhawks are 14-19 SU.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 29th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 15th overall and it’s successfully killed off 81.4 percent of all penalties.
Robin Lehner (32.1 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for Chicago. Lehner has 16 wins, 17 losses, and six OT losses to his credit, and has registered a .918 save percentage and 3.01 goals against average this year.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Lightning, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Blackhawks (3-4 in shootouts) has more shootout experience coming into this one. The Lightning, however, has yet to lose a shootout this year (2-0).
- For both of these clubs, the game went over the total in four of their past five outings.
- Five of Chicago’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Chicago skaters have given out the league’s 10th-most hits per game (22.5) and the Bolts have handed the seventh-most (23.8).
