Lightning set to host Blackhawks Friday

The Tampa Bay Lightning (42-18-6) are back on home ice Friday facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks (24-33-10). The Bolts are coming off of a 4-3 overtime victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday.

#BOLTSWIN!!!! pic.twitter.com/td8SAUc975

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 30, 2022

Look at the Lightning

Tampa seems to be breaking out of its funk. In March, the Lightning lost seven of their 15 total games. However, the team is currently on a three-game winning streak.

Steven Stamkos has been a dominant weapon for the Bolts, scoring three goals and racking up seven points in the last five games. The Lightning captain also scored the overtime goal in Tuesday’s game. Stamkos now has the franchise lead of seven 30-goal seasons in his career, passing Martin St. Louis (6). On top of that, Stamkos also scored his 11th career overtime goal, again passing St. Louis’s previous franchise record of 10 overtime goals.

Power plays were vital for the Bolts over Carolina as three of their four goals scored were off of power plays. Nikita Kucherov assisted in all three of the power-play goals, his second three-assist game of the season. Kucherov has tallied six assists in the last five games.

Blackhawks Stats

Before matching up against the Lightning, the Blackhawks are facing off against the Florida Panthers Thursday night. Chicago has lost its past two games by one goal against the Golden Knights and the Sabres.

Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat are players the Lightning will have to look out for. In the last five games, Kane has had eight assists and 10 points while DeBrincat has scored four goals.

In the two teams’ last game on March 6, the Bolts beat the Blackhawks 6-3. Right now, Tampa sits second in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the league while Chicago is seventh in the Central Division and 26th in the league.

Game Start

Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Amalie Arena.