Lightning at Blackhawks Pick and Preview
Game Details
- Where: United Center, Chicago
- When: Sunday, March 7th, 2:30 PM EST
- Odds: BetMGM
- Money line: Lightning -200 | Blackhawks +170
- Against the spread/ATS: Lightning -1.5 (+130) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-155)
- Over/Under: 6 O: +100 | U: -120
The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-4-2) are trending up as of recently. After a rocky series with the Panthers and a 4-0 shutout in the first game of a four-game series against Carolina,
The Lightning have shot up to first place in the Central Division with three wins against Carolina and a two-game series sweep of the Dallas Stars. Thursday’s overtime win against Chicago was Tampa Bay’s sixth straight win. The streak came to an end last night as Chicago won in a shootout.
The Lightning offense ranks fourth in the NHL recording 9.4 points per game, averaging 3.5 goals and 5.9 assists. The Blackhawks are one spot ahead in third place with 30.7 shots per game and scoring 3.1 goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning at Chicago Blackhawks Series Recap
Chicago improved to 4-1-1 in its past six games and snapped Tampa Bay’s six-game winning streak. On Thursday night, the Lightning won 3-2 in overtime on Alex Killorn’s buzzer-beating goal. The Blackhawks have proved to be a worthy opponent for the Lightning. In the 20 previous contests, Tampa Bay had only played 2 overtime games but have been taken to overtime in back-to-back games with Chicago.
Tampa Bay came flying out the gates on Friday night scoring two goals within the first 11 minutes and their third coming late in the third period. Anthony Cirelli, Alex Killorn and Ryan McDonough scored for the Lightning. Tampa Bay outshot Chicago 42-27, went a disappointing 1 for 6 on man advantages, but killed 4 of 5 of their own penalties after killing 18 straight in their previous 5 games.
The absence of Andrei Vasilevskiy from net was felt by the Lightning defense after giving up 4 goals. Vasilevskiy is looking to earn his second Vezina trophy this season, his .942 save percentage is second in the NHL and he leads the league with 14 wins.
For Chicago, Alex DeBrincat has been one of the top scorers in the NHL this season along with Patrick Kane Kane currently ranks second in the NHL with 37 points, scoring 11 goals and recording 26 assists. On Friday, DeBrincat scored two goals, Dominik Kubalik would tie the game up to force overtime and Philipp Kursahev would win the game for Chicago in the third round of the shootout.
Tampa Bay Lighting Trends to Watch
- Tampa Bay is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
- Tampa Bay is 13-9 ATS on the year
- The over-under is 10-11
- Tampa Bay is 6-1 SU
- Tampa Bay is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks Trends to Watch
- Blackhawks: 7-2-1 in their last 10 games
- Average 3.3 goals and 5.6 assists last
- Committing three penalties and 6.3 penalty minutes
- Giving up 2.6 goals per game
- .923 save percentage
Picks for Lightning at Blackhawks (03/07/2021)
The series so far has been neck and neck between Tampa Bay and Chicago. Two overtime games with one ending in a shootout. Sunday’s game will feature Andrei Vasilevskiy back in net for the Lightning, Vasilevskiy has won all 7 of his matches against the Blackhawks.
Tampa Bay Moneyline (-200): The Lightning with Valsilevskiy in net will make all the difference for this game, His presence will lock down the defensive end allowing for more opportunities on the offensive.
Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at Betting Midwest.
