by
- What: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
- Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
- Location: United Center in Chicago, IL
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: ESPN+, Hulu
Tonight’s nationally televised NHL game (ESPN+, Hulu) finds the slumping Tampa Bay Lightning heading to the United Center to face the up-and-down Chicago Blackhawks. Tampa Bay enters tonight’s contest riding a three-game losing skid. Meanwhile, Chicago has alternated wins and losses in its past seven games (3-4). Here is some information on the teams before we look at the betting odds, picks, and predictions for tonight’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Tampa Bay Lightning finished the 2023 season with a 46-30-6 record. The club bowed out of the playoffs in the first round, losing their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs in six games. The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2020 and 2021 and made it to the Cup Finals in 2022. This year has been a struggle for the Lightning. They bring a 6-6-4 record into tonight’s game. The Lightning have only won two consecutive games once this season.
The Chicago Blackhawks wrapped up last year with the worst record in the Central Division at 26-49-7. The club is performing slightly better this year when looking at its winning percentage, .385 vs. .360, but Chicago still has a losing record at 5-8-0. Chicago has only made the playoffs once in the past six seasons, losing in the first round of the 2020 postseason.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for tonight’s ESPN/Hulu matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks, check out our betting picks to win the 2024 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks betting picks
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total Points |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -1.5 (+133) | -185 | Ov 6.5 (-128) |
| Chicago Blackhawks | +1.5 (-155) | +160 | Un 6.5 (+107) |
Tampa Bay Lightning betting breakdown
Following last year’s loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, there were questions about how things would go for an aging and slowing Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024. This season has not started out well for the club. Tampa Bay is 6-6-4 on the year and riding a three-game losing skid. Making matters worse is that they have been shut out in their past two games, 4-0 and 5-0.
On a positive note, Tampa Bay’s 53 goals on the season is the third-highest team total in the Eastern Conference behind only the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. However, the team has allowed the most goals in the East at 59. The team has struggled in its defensive play mainly because starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has yet to play this year following back surgery.
Tampa Bay is once again relying on its veterans to carry the club. Nikita Kucherov leads the team in points (23) and goals (11), while Victor Hedman has the most assists on the club with 14.
Goaltending is an enormous issue for the team, with Jonas Johnson and Matt Tomkins combining for a 3.69 goals against average and a .895 save percentage. The due has faced an average of 32.9 shots per game, which is sixth-highest in the NHL for the 2024 season.
Chicago Blackhawks betting breakdown
The Chicago Blackhawks are in a rebuilding stage, as such, few expect the team to contend for a playoff spot this year. The 2024 season is all about getting the No. 1 overall draft pick, Connor Bedard, acclimated with play at the NHL level. Things are working out well on that front. The 18-year-old leads the team in points (13) and goals (nine) and is the highest-scoring rookie in the league while also leading all first-year NHL forwards in ice time at 19:22.
Chicago has not been consistent this season. The team has yet to win two games in a row and has alternated wins and losses over its past seven games. Overall, the Blackhawks have scored more goals (34) than three other NHL teams while surrendering 45 goals, which ranks them 18th in the NHL. Chicago has allowed the second-most shots on goal per game this year at 34.8.
The team’s goaltending duo of Petr Mrazek and Arvid Soderblom have combined for a 3.46 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.
Best bets for Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Neither of these teams has been very efficient on the offensive side of the ice. The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 15th in goals for per game with 3.31, while the Chicago Blackhawks have averaged 2.62 goals per outing, which puts them at 27th in the NHL. With that in mind, wagering on the under (6.5) is the way to go for this game.
As for betting on the win, Tampa Bay has not played well as of late, getting outscored 9-0 in its past two games, but the team has the skills and talent to beat Chicago tonight. With that, the Lightning are the pick to win this game.
See below a list of reliable sportsbooks and choose the best one for you.
