The Chicago Blackhawks welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning on ESPN to open tonight’s NHL slate.
Tampa Bay enters as the hottest team in hockey, and my Lightning vs. Blackhawks predictions call for that momentum to roll on.
Read on for my NHL picks for Friday, January 23.
Lightning vs Blackhawks prediction
Lightning vs Blackhawks best bet: Lightning -1.5 (-105)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 13 of their past 14 games, with 10 of those victories coming by at least two goals. Not only do the Bolts enter this matchup in stronger form, but they are also more rested, having not played since Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back that included travel from North Carolina to Illinois. With Spencer Knight having started the previous night, Chicago is expected to turn to backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom.
Soderblom has struggled mightily this season, posting a 5-8-1 record with an .868 save percentage and a 3.97 goals-against average.
Across the ice, Andrei Vasilevskiy is slated to start for Tampa Bay. Entering this matchup in dominant form, Vasilevskiy is 9-0-1 over his past 10 starts with a .926 save percentage and a 1.66 goals-against average.
The Lightning are also the superior team across the board, outranking Chicago in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60), expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60), and expected goal share.
Lightning vs Blackhawks same-game parlay
Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel looks to keep his hot hand going against his former team. Hagel has scored seven goals over his past eight games.
Meanwhile, linemate Nikita Kucherov also enters this contest in strong form, having scored five goals over the same stretch.
Lightning vs Blackhawks SGP
- Lightning -1.5
- Brandon Hagel anytime goalscorer
- Nikita Kucherov anytime goalscorer
Lightning vs Blackhawks odds
- Moneyline: Lightning -250 | Blackhawks +205
- Puck Line: Lightning -1.5 (+105) | Blackhawks +1.5 (-125)
- Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+115) | Under 6.5 (-135)
Lightning vs Blackhawks trend
Tampa Bay has won 13 of its past 14 games, with 10 of those wins coming by at least a two-goal margin. Find more NHL betting trends for Lightning vs. Blackhawks.
How to watch Lightning vs Blackhawks
| Location | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date | Friday, January 23, 2026 |
| Puck drop | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Lightning vs Blackhawks latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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