Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Pick
Central Division rivals meet up on Sunday afternoon for the third time in four days as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Tampa Bay Lightning. These two teams have split the first two meetings, with each game going into overtime.
Tampa Bay sits atop the Central Division with 34 points on the season, and the Lightning recently won six straight games. The defending Stanley Cup champions look like a solid pick to repeat this season.
Chicago was supposed to be in a rebuilding year this season, but that hasn’t been the case. The Blackhawks come into this game with 31 points, which has them in a playoff position in the Central Division.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are -220 in this matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Lightning Lighting the Lamp
The Tampa Bay Lightning have one of the best rosters in the NHL, and they have little trouble putting pucks in the back of the net. Tampa Bay is scoring 3.5 goals per game this season, but they haven’t had a ton of luck against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Center Steven Stamkos leads the team with 11 goals, but the Lighting have goal scorers up and down this roster. Defenseman Victor Hedman leads the team with 18 assists and 22 total points, and the Lightning will look to speed up the pace in this game.
Tampa Bay has also done a great job of limiting scoring opportunities for their opponents, giving up just two goals against them per game. Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy already has three shutouts this season and has stopped 94 percent of shots faced.
Hawks Getting Great Goaltending
Goaltending is a big reason that the Chicago Blackhawks have been a major surprise team this season. Kevin Lankinen has been the main goaltender for the Hawks, and he is allowing just 2.57 goals against so far this season.
On the offensive side of the ice, it is once again Patrick Kane leading the way for Chicago. Kane leads the team with 26 assists and 37 points and has to be one of the favorites to win the Hart Trophy at this time.
You won’t find a ton of big names on this Blackhawks roster, but this team has battled all season long. Chicago is not afraid of the Lightning, and they will battle the entire way.
Blackhawks Beat Lightning on Sunday
Few teams have been able to keep up with the Lightning this season, but the Blackhawks have been one of them. Chicago has been able to take Tampa Bay to overtime each of the last two games, and the Blackhawks are playing with a ton of momentum.
Tampa Bay will get some great scoring opportunities in this game, but the Blackhawks will find a way to keep this to a low-scoring game. Three goals likely win on Sunday, and the Blackhawks are capable of getting to that number.
Chicago will stay in the playoff race with an impressive win on Sunday afternoon as they defeat the Tampa Bay Lightning. Take the Chicago Blackhawks money line in this matchup with the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday afternoon.
