The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Chicago Blackhawks in an interconference matchup on Friday, January 23, 2026. The Lightning, second in the Atlantic Division and chasing a playoff spot with their high-powered offense, aim to extend a three-game winning streak and improve their road record against Western teams. The Blackhawks, hovering around .500 and fighting for a wild-card berth in the Central Division, look to capitalize on home ice amid a rebuild led by young stars. This is the second meeting of the season, with Tampa Bay winning the first 5-3 in Tampa on November 28, 2025.
Venue Location
United Center
Chicago, IL
Capacity: 19,717
(Opened in 1994, this historic arena is home to the Blackhawks and Bulls, known for its raucous atmosphere during playoff pushes and featuring the iconic Michael Jordan statue outside.)
Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM PT)
Broadcast: NBCS-CHI (Blackhawks local), BSSUN (Lightning local), NHL Network (national select markets)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (Chicago), WFLA 970 AM (Tampa Bay)
Injury Report
Injuries are impacting both squads, with Tampa Bay missing defensive depth and Chicago dealing with forward absences.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Victor Hedman (D): Out (Lower body; out indefinitely, expected return mid-February)
Erik Cernak (D): Questionable (Upper body; game-time decision)
Anthony Cirelli (C): Game-time decision (Illness)
Adin Hill is expected to start in net if healthy; otherwise, Andrei Vasilevskiy backs up. Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are fully available.
Chicago Blackhawks:
Connor Bedard (C): Probable (Concussion protocol; cleared but monitored)
Taylor Hall (LW): Out (Right knee; out indefinitely)
Andreas Athanasiou (LW): Game-time decision (Groin)
Tyler Johnson (C): Out (Foot; expected return late January)
Petr Mrazek is slated to start in goal, with Arvid Soderblom as backup. Philipp Kurashev remains key in the top six.
Key Player Matchups
This game highlights offensive firepower against rebuilding defense, with Tampa’s veterans facing Chicago’s youth movement.
Nikita Kucherov (TB) vs. Seth Jones (CHI): Kucherov (28G, 42A, 70 PTS) leads the league in points and will test Jones’ defensive zone coverage. Expect Kucherov to exploit transitions against Chicago’s 22nd-ranked defense.
Steven Stamkos (TB) vs. Connor Bedard (CHI, if active): Veteran vs. phenom. Stamkos (24G, 32A) brings power-play prowess (12th in PP goals), while Bedard (22G, 28A) could match his scoring if cleared, creating a high-event matchup.
Brayden Point (TB) vs. Kevin Korchinski (CHI): Point (21G, 35A) thrives in the slot, challenging young defenseman Korchinski’s gap control.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB, if starting) vs. Petr Mrazek (CHI): Goalie duel. Vasilevskiy (.912 SV%) anchors Tampa’s net, while Mrazek (.905 SV%) has been steady but vulnerable to high-danger chances.
Other notes: Tampa’s power play (24.2%, 9th) vs. Chicago’s penalty kill (78.4%, 20th) could be decisive. Chicago’s home faceoff win rate (52.1%) tests Tampa’s centers.
Team Rankings
| Category | Lightning Rank (League) | Blackhawks Rank (League) |
| Goals Per Game | 3.62 (4th) | 2.84 (22nd) |
| Goals Against Per Game | 2.75 (8th) | 3.28 (23rd) |
| Power Play % | 24.2% (9th) | 18.6% (19th) |
| Penalty Kill % | 82.4% (11th) | 78.4% (20th) |
| Shots Per Game | 30.8 (12th) | 28.4 (24th) |
| Faceoff % | 51.2% (10th) | 49.8% (18th) |
Recent Team Forms
Tampa Bay is surging, while Chicago has been inconsistent.
Tampa Bay Lightning (Last 10 Games: 7-2-1)
The Lightning have won seven of their last 10, outscoring opponents 38-26. Key wins include a 4-2 victory over Florida (Jan. 20) and 5-3 over Chicago (Nov. 28). Defense has tightened, allowing 2.4 GAA.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 22 | vs. BUF | W | 4-3 (OT) | Kucherov: 1G, 2A |
| Jan. 20 | vs. FLA | W | 4-2 | Stamkos: 2G |
| Jan. 18 | @ CAR | W | 3-1 | Vasilevskiy: 28 saves |
| Jan. 16 | @ WSH | L | 2-4 | Point: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 14 | vs. PIT | W | 5-2 | Kucherov: 3A |
| Jan. 11 | @ NYR | W (SO) | 3-2 | Stamkos: GWG |
| Jan. 9 | vs. NYI | W | 4-1 | Point: 2G |
| Jan. 7 | @ NJD | L | 3-4 (OT) | Kucherov: 2G |
| Jan. 5 | vs. BOS | W | 3-2 | Vasilevskiy: 32 saves |
| Jan. 3 | @ PHI | L | 1-3 | Stamkos: 1G |
Chicago Blackhawks (Last 10 Games: 4-5-1)
The Blackhawks are 4-5-1 in their last 10, with a -5 goal differential. Wins like 4-3 OT over Dallas (Jan. 18) show promise, but losses to contenders like Colorado (2-5 on Jan. 21) highlight defensive gaps.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Performer |
| Jan. 21 | vs. COL | L | 2-5 | Bedard: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 19 | @ ARI | W | 3-2 | Kurashev: 2G |
| Jan. 18 | vs. DAL | W (OT) | 4-3 | Jones: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 16 | @ VGK | L | 2-4 | Bedard: 1G |
| Jan. 14 | vs. ANA | W | 5-3 | Hall: 2A (pre-injury) |
| Jan. 11 | @ SJS | L | 1-3 | Mrazek: 25 saves |
| Jan. 9 | vs. LAK | L | 2-4 | Bedard: 2A |
| Jan. 7 | @ VAN | W | 3-2 (SO) | Korchinski: GWG |
| Jan. 5 | vs. SEA | L | 3-4 (OT) | Kurashev: 1G, 1A |
| Jan. 3 | @ EDM | L | 1-4 | Bedard: 1G |
Series History
Tampa Bay leads the all-time series 50-38-6-4 in 98 regular-season meetings. The Lightning have won 7 of the last 10, including this season’s 5-3 victory. Trends: The over has hit in 6 of the last 8 games, averaging 6.8 total goals.
| Date | Location | Result | Score | Puck Line Covered? |
| Nov. 28, 2025 | Tampa | TB Win | 5-3 | TB -1.5 |
| Mar. 10, 2025 | Chicago | TB Win | 4-2 | TB -1.5 |
| Nov. 16, 2024 | Tampa | CHI Win | 4-3 (SO) | CHI +1.5 |
| Mar. 5, 2024 | Tampa | TB Win | 4-3 (OT) | CHI +1.5 |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | Chicago | TB Win | 5-3 | TB -1.5 |
Betting Trends
Against the Spread (ATS, Puck Line): Lightning 28-20 (58.3% cover rate); Blackhawks 24-26 (48% cover rate). Tampa is 7-3 ATS in last 10, Chicago 4-6 ATS. Over/Under (O/U): Lightning games hit over 26-22 (54.2%); Blackhawks 28-22 (56%). Last 10 Chicago games average 6.4 total goals. Moneyline (ML): Lightning 28-20 as favorites (58.3% win rate); Blackhawks 9-14 as underdogs. Chicago is 12-14 straight-up at home. Recent Trends: Lightning 6-4 ATS on road last 10; Blackhawks 5-5 ATS vs. East. Over in 7 of Tampa’s last 10; Tampa 4-1 SU last 5 vs. Chicago.
Tampa’s elite offense (3.62 GPG) and 7-2-1 last 10 give them a 65% win probability. Chicago’s defensive issues (3.28 GA/G) tilt this favorite. Chicago covers 48% of puck lines and keeps games close at home (12-14 SU). Tampa is 7-3 ATS but often wins by one; expect a competitive score. Both trend over (TB 54%, CHI 56%); last five meetings averaged 7.2 goals. Tampa’s scoring pushes past Chicago’s goaltending.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning – 298
Chicago Blackhawks 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 22, 2026
