The Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-2) and Tampa Bay Lightning (1-3-2) square off Thursday. Puck drop from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, is set for 6:45 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Lightning odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 Season series: Tied 1-1
The Blackhawks earned their third win in 4 games with a 2-1 overtime victory against the Anaheim Ducks Sunday, winning as +116 home underdogs as the Under (6.5) cashed. C Ryan Donato scored a goal and added an assist, while G Spencer Knight was outstanding in net, stopping 38 of 39 shots faced.
The Lightning dropped their third straight 1-goal game Saturday, falling 3-2 to the Columbus Blue Jackets as +115 road underdogs, with the Under (6.5) hitting. C Anthony Cirelli scored once and added a blocked shot, while D Ryan McDonagh notched his second goal of the season.
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Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:18 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Lightning -300 (bet $300 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (+100) | Lightning -1.5 (-120)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -120 | U: +100)Blackhawks at Lightning projected goalies
Spencer Knight (2-2-1, 1.95 GAA, .937 SV%) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (0-2-2, 3.49 GAA, .884 SV%)
Knight turned in another stellar performance Sunday, stopping 38 of 39 shots (.974 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory. The young goaltender has now won 2 of his last 3 starts and hasn’t lost in regulation since Oct. 11. Knight’s most recent meeting with Tampa Bay came on Dec. 22, 2024, when he earned the win after stopping 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%).
Vasilevskiy’s winless streak to start the season extended to 4 games after Friday’s 2-0 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The former Vezina Trophy winner was sharp despite the defeat, stopping 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). Historically, he’s dominated the Blackhawks, boasting a 13-0 record. In their last meeting on April 1, 2022, he stopped 21 of 23 shots in a 5-2 victory.
Blackhawks at Lightning picks and predictionsPrediction
Blackhawks 3, Lightning 2
BET BLACKHAWKS +240.
I’m rolling with the Blackhawks on the moneyline here — the price is just too good to pass up. Chicago’s playing confident hockey right now, winning 3 of its last 4, and showing balance on both ends of the ice. The Hawks own a +5 goal differential and rank top-10 in goals allowed (17), thanks in large part to strong goaltending from Knight, who’s allowed just 4 goals over his last 3 starts.
Meanwhile, the Lightning are reeling. They’ve dropped 3 straight and can’t seem to find their offensive rhythm, tallying only 16 total goals on the season — tied for 28th in the NHL. Vasilevskiy, once a brick wall in net, hasn’t looked sharp, posting a .886 SV% as the losses have piled up.
Chicago beat Tampa Bay in their last head to head meeting, 4-1 on Jan. 28, and the matchup looks just as favorable this time around. The Lightning are struggling to control the puck and giving up too many odd-man rushes — exactly the kind of mistakes a fast, hungry team like Chicago can exploit.
At better than 2-to-1 odds, the Blackhawks are the value play. They’re skating with confidence, defending well, and have the momentum to take down a stumbling Lightning team.
PASS.
No need to play with the puck line when you are getting the Blackhawks with plus odds on the moneyline.
BET UNDER 6 (+100).
I’m backing the Under as recent trends point clearly that way. The Under has cashed in 2 of the last 3 meetings between these teams and in 4 of Chicago’s last 5 games. Tampa Bay has also seen 3 straight Unders, largely due to stagnant offense. With Knight in strong form between the pipes, goals should be hard to come by.
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