The Blackhawks and Lightning will meet for the first of two matchups this season. Here’s where to catch the action:

The Blackhawks will look to keep the momentum rolling Thursday night in Tampa Bay as they take on the Lightning. Chicago is coming off a thrilling 2-1 overtime win Sunday night over the Anaheim Ducks. The Hawks and Lightning will drop the puck at Amalie Arena at 5:45 p.m. CT.

This will be the first of two matchups for Chicago and Tampa Bay this season. The Lightning will visit the United Center in Chicago on January 23. The two teams have split the season series each of the last two seasons, with the road team winning all four games. The last time these two opponents met in the playoffs, Chicago raised the Stanley Cup above their tomahawk-decorated shoulders.

Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

Chicago is off to one of the better starts to a season that they have seen in several years. The team comes into action with a 3-2-2 record. Every loss they have had has been by one goal, so the Hawks have found themselves in every game they have played this season. Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar lead the team in points, as each is playing at a point-per-game mark, tallying 7 points each on the young season.

Spencer Knight is expected to be in the net for Chicago. The 24-year-old goalie is off to a red-hot start for the Blackhawks. Knight will come into action with a 2-2-1 record on the season following a win Sunday night in his 100th career NHL game. Chicago’s netminder has posted a .937 save percentage and a 1.96 goals-against average in 5 games this season.

Chicago’s captain, Nick Foligno, is set to return to action vs. Tampa Bay. The 37-year-old missed three games for Chicago due to a leave of absence to support his daughter, Milana, during a follow-up surgery related to her congenital heart disease. Forward Andre Burakovsky will miss Thursday’s game following the birth of his daughter.

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It hasn’t exactly been the start to the season that Tampa Bay has grown accustomed to over the years. The once-dominant team has gotten off to a 1-3-2 record to begin the year. However, much like Chicago, Tampa has found itself in most games. Four of their five losses this season have been by just one goal, with the fifth loss being by two goals. Forward Jake Guentzel leads the way in scoring for Tampa Bay with 6 points in 6 games played.

The former Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy winner Andre Vasilevskiy is set to start in goal for the Lightning. The 31-year-old goaltender has been one of the league’s best over the last decade. However, it has been a rough start for Tampa’s netminder. Vasilevskiy has begun the season with a 0-2-2 record and sports a .886 save percentage and a 3.50 goals-against average.

Old Faces, Familiar Places

Oct 7, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill watches from the bench against the Florida Panthers during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill will return to Tampa Bay to face his former team. Blashill spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach with the Lightning under head coach Jon Cooper. Blashill joined the Lightning coaching staff after spending 7 seasons as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings.

Dominic James is set to make his NHL debut Thursday night for the Lightning. James was originally drafted by the Blackhawks in the 6th round of the 2022 NHL Draft. James decided not to sign an entry-level contract with Chicago this past summer before ultimately signing with Tampa Bay. The Blackhawks were reportedly unwilling to burn the first year of James’ entry-level contract to allow him to join the NHL team last March, like they did with Oliver Moore and Ryan Greene.

How to Watch Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

Time: 5:45 p.m. CT

TV Channel: No Traditional TV Broadcast – ESPN+ (National Broadcast) only

Live Stream: ESPN+, Hulu

This matchup will be broadcast on nationally, exclusively on ESPN+ and Hulu. With that, all in-market and out-of-market viewers will have the same viewing option. Bob Wishusen and AJ Mleczko will call the game for ESPN from Amalie Arena.

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