NHL Game Preview: Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-2) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-3-2)

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Venue & Game Info

Location: Benchmark International Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602

Puckdrop: 6:45 PM ET

Broadcast: ESPN+, Hulu, local radio feeds

Team Recent Form

Chicago Blackhawks: Won 3 of last 4, including a 2-1 OT victory vs. Anaheim. Averaging 3.1 goals per game while allowing just 2.4 goals against.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Dropped three straight one-goal games, most recently a 3-2 loss to Columbus. Offense sputtering at 2.7 goals per game, defense conceding 3.3 per game.

Injury Report

Blackhawks: No major injuries reported.

Lightning:

De’Anthony Melton (knee) – OUT

Moses Moody (calf) – Day-to-day

Alex Toohey (knee) – Day-to-day

Key Matchups

Spencer Knight (CHI) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL): Knight has been stellar (.937 SV%, 1.95 GAA), while Vasilevskiy is winless but improving (.884 SV%).

Connor Bedard & Frank Nazar (CHI) vs. Victor Hedman (TBL): Chicago’s young forwards test Tampa’s veteran blueliner.

Anthony Cirelli & Brayden Point (TBL) vs. Seth Jones (CHI): Tampa’s top centers must break through Chicago’s defensive anchor.

Series History

2024–25 season series: Split 1-1.

All-time: Tampa Bay has historically dominated at home, but Chicago’s recent form suggests a tighter contest.

Betting Trends

Blackhawks: 3-1 in last 4 games; 2 of last 3 went UNDER 6.5 goals.

Lightning: 0-3 in last 3, all one-goal losses; 3 of 6 games OVER 6 goals.

Totals: Combined scoring average of 5.8 goals per game, slightly below tonight’s line of 6.

Projection: Blackhawks 3 – Lightning 2 (OT)

Game Odds

Chicago Blackhawks                       6.5

Tampa Bay Lightning                      – 310

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, October 22, 2025