Chicago Blackhawks (8–9–5) at Tampa Bay Lightning (15–6–1)
6:30 p.m. CST/7:30 p.m. EST
Amalie Arena
TV/Radio: NBCSN, NBCSCH/WGN
PROJECTED STARTERS
Chicago – Corey Crawford (5–7–1, SV%: 0.918 GAA: 2.57)
Washington – Louis Domingue (6–3–0, SV% . 898, GAA 3.46)
TEAM STATISTICS
Power Play
Chicago (13.4%, 29th)
Tampa Bay (28.8%, 5th)
Penalty Kill
Chicago (74.2%, 29th)
Tampa Bay (80.5%, T-14th)
Shorts for/against
Chicago (32.7, T-11th; 33.1, T-27th)
Tampa Bay (32.7, T-11th; 32.6, T-22th)
Shooting %
Chicago (8.1%, 26th)
Tampa Bay (11.4%, 3rd)
Faceoff %
Chicago (49.8%, 17th)
Tampa Bay (49.7%, 18th)
Avg. height/weight
Chicago 6’1”, 195lbs
Tampa Bay 6’1” 197lbs
PROJECTED LINES/PAIRINGS
Chicago Blackhawks
Brandon Saad–Jonathan Toews–Patrick Kane
Nick Schmaltz–Artem Anisimov–Alex DeBrincat
Alexandre Fortin–David Kampf–Dominik Kahun
John Hayden–Marcus Kruger–Andreas Martinsen
Duncan Keith–Brent Seabrook
Erik Gustafsson–Henri Jokiharju
Gustav Forsling–Jan Rutta
Tampa Bay Lightning
Yanni Gourde–Steven Stamkos–J.T. Miller
Tyler Johnson–Brayden Point–Nikita Kucherov
Alex Killorn–Anthony Cirelli–Mathieu Joseph
Adam Erne–Cedric Paquette–Ryan Callahan
Victor Hedman–Dan Girardi
Ryan McDonagh–Erik Cernak
Braydon Coburn–Mikhail Sergachev
Analysis
The Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lightning host the Blackhawks in the first of a back-to-back for Chicago in the Sunshine State.
Brandon Saad, on a three-game goal streak, will look to continue his hot streak. The 26-year old forward has picked up the slack for Alex DeBrincat, who has found the back of the net just once in twelve games.
With that being said, DeBrincat is currently the only Blackhawks’ forward, outside of the projected top line, with more than two goals on the season. That Chicago fans, is a lack of scoring depth.
The Lightning enter tonight having won 3-of-4 contests. Seven different players scored versus Florida on Wednesday, as the Lightning won 7 – 3.
Russian forward Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 27 points, while center Brayden Point leads with the team with 14 goals. The 22-year old Point trails only Kucherov with 26 points.
The high-flying Lightning outclassed the Blackhawks back in October, in Chicago, tonight will be a great test for the Blackhawks on the road.