It sure feels odd to look at the NHL standings and see the Tampa Bay Lightning with one win in their first six games. That’s something you would expect from the Chicago Blackhawks in recent years, who have managed to pull out eight points in their first seven. But here we are in bizarro world.
For Thursday’s game, the Lightning have the edge at -310 on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the Blackhawks are listed at +250. The total is set at 6.5 goals. Let’s get into a preview, prediction, and pick for this matchup.
Blackhawks vs. Lightning prediction, preview
It’s sure odd to see the Lightning down this badly. In every full season since 2017, they’ve been at or above 98 points. A strong defense and deep offensive attack has fueled their incredible success over the last decade, but it’s not working this season. They’ve allowed 3.5 goals per game and their star goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, is winless in his four starts. Nikita Kucherov, a regular Hart candidate, has recorded just three points in six games.
It’s no surprise to see a team like Tampa Bay losing depth due to the cap. But if the stars are regressing, it could get ugly.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks are on the verge of breaking out. Their young star Connor Bedard is leading the way, but Frank Nazar is a less-heralded name who’s thriving. With the depth pieces playing well and netminder Spencer Knight putting up shutdown performances, the rebuild in Chicagoland may be over sooner than expected.
Blackhawks vs. Lightning pick, best bet
I understand why the Lightning are overwhelming favorites here. They’re the better and more stable team on paper, and should turn things around sooner rather than later. But it’s hard to ignore the results in the early going, which aren’t all luck. Chicago is better in all areas of the ice right now. That may change as the season goes on, but for now, Chicago has the value.
