The Chicago Blackhawks (0-1-0) and Tampa Bay Lightning (1-0-0) close out a season-opening two-game set Friday night at Amalie Arena. Puck drop is slated for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Blackhawks-Lightning NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Blackhawks at Lightning: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Blackhawks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Lightning -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Blackhawks +1.5 (-115) | Lightning -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Blackhawks at Lightning: Projected starting goalies
Collin Delia (Career: 7-5-3, .906 SV%, 3.65 GAA) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (2021: 1-0-0, .957 SV%, 1.01 GAA)
Delia is in as part of a two- or even three-headed rotation now that Corey Crawford (retired) and Robin Lehner (traded to Vegas) are gone. The 26-year-old is making his first NHL start since the 2018-19 season. Last year, Delia logged a .912 SV% at AHL Rockford.
Vasilevskiy was sharp, although not tested with a lot of dangerous scoring chances, in Wednesday’s season opener. A year ago, the 26-year-old was a bit better away from home, both in the regular season and in the summer playoffs, and that fits a career trend going back a few years.
Get some action on this game or any NHL matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Blackhawks at Lightning: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Tampa Bay 4, Chicago 3
Money line (ML)
The Bolts are 10-6-1 over their last 17 regular-season games dating back to last February. The Blackhawks are certainly the underdogs in Game 2 of this series but with a straight-up tag of +230, the price is attractive enough to warrant a play.
Consider CHICAGO (+230) as complementary action to the puck line below.
Against the spread (ATS)
After unveiling their 2019-20 Stanley Cup banner and displaying said trophy at center ice, the Lightning jolted the Blackhawks 5-1 Wednesday. Tampa Bay dominated in 5-on-5 scoring and high-danger chances. A banged-up and youthful Chicago team was never in the game, and that figures to be a common narrative for the ‘Hawks as this season unfolds, especially against top opponents.
All of that is overcompensated in the puck line for Game 2. Look for enough of a goaltending/defense bounceback to warrant a play on the BLACKHAWKS +1.5 (-115).
Over/Under (O/U)
PASS. An Over is the lean in principle, but the new-look Chicago lines and the short training camp make for too much gray area.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]
