Lightning vs Blackhawks picks headline Friday night at the United Center, where the betting market is asking a simple question: can Chicago keep this game competitive against a Tampa Bay team that still grades out as one of the league’s most efficient sides? This matchup sets up as a classic road-favorite handicap and a useful spot for tonight’s NHL picks.
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Terms & Conditions Quick Picks and Prediction Spread: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 Total: Under 5.5 Projected Final Score: Lightning 4, Blackhawks 1 Odds and Line MovementOpening Odds Team Moneyline Total Tampa Bay -260 5.5 Chicago +210 5.5 Current Odds Team Moneyline Total Lightning -265 5.5 Blackhawks +215 5.5 Line Movement – Puck Line Date Tampa Bay Chicago 01/23 -1.5 (+105) +1.5 (-125) Line Movement – Total Date Over Under 01/23 5.5 (-142) 5.5 (+120) Lightning at Blackhawks
Tampa Bay comes into Chicago as a clear road favorite, and the numbers behind that price are easy to understand. The Lightning are averaging 3.50 goals per game while allowing just 2.48, a profile that consistently creates margin against teams that struggle to generate offense. Chicago’s season numbers sit on the other end of that spectrum, scoring 2.72 goals per game while allowing just over three.
Shot volume supports the same script. Tampa Bay plays a more controlled, efficient game, while Chicago allows nearly 30 shots per contest. That gap matters against a Lightning team that can score without needing long offensive-zone shifts. Even if the Blackhawks keep things close early, the math tends to catch up over 60 minutes.
Goaltending is another separator. Andrei Vasilevskiy brings elite consistency and gives Tampa Bay a high floor in games where they are expected to control play. Spencer Knight has been solid for Chicago, but he is often asked to erase more mistakes, which narrows the margin for error when facing a disciplined opponent.
The main hesitation with laying a big number is Tampa Bay’s injury list. Brayden Point remains out, which caps some of the Lightning’s top-end scoring. Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh also being sidelined removes important minutes from the blue line, and Anthony Cirelli’s day-to-day status matters for matchup usage. Even with those absences, Tampa Bay still owns a structural edge over a Chicago roster that lacks consistent scoring depth.
Chicago did win the first meeting of the season by a 3-2 score, but that result required near-perfect efficiency. Replicating that path against a motivated Lightning team is a tall order, especially if Tampa Bay establishes the lead and forces the Blackhawks to chase.
Betting Trends for TBL vs CHI Tampa Bay enters as a heavy road favorite based on a strong goal differential edge. Chicago allows significantly more shots per game than Tampa Bay. The total is shaded to the under, reflecting Tampa Bay’s defensive profile. Key Injuries and Notes (TBL and CHI) Tampa Bay: Brayden Point on injured reserve; Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh on injured reserve; Anthony Cirelli day-to-day. Chicago: Jason Dickinson out; Teuvo Teravainen day-to-day; Ryan Ellis on injured reserve; Shea Weber on long-term injured reserve. ATS and Total Picks Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 Under 5.5 Final Score Prediction
Lightning 4, Blackhawks 1
How to Bet Lightning vs Blackhawks
This game is best approached by separating price from probability. Laying the puck line instead of the heavy moneyline creates a better risk-reward profile, especially when Tampa Bay’s season-long efficiency suggests multi-goal wins in spots like this.
Bettors should always compare numbers across best sportsbooks, especially on totals where juice can vary. Taking advantage of available sportsbook promo codes can help offset variance, and checking social sportsbooks may offer alternative pricing.
Books like Bet365 and Fliff are also worth comparing, particularly if you are using a bet365 bonus code or a fliff promo code, to make sure you are locking in the best possible number on a game where Tampa Bay is expected to control the script.
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