Up ya go! We have a massive NHL showdown set for Friday, 6 Nov at 11:00 am AEDT when the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Chicago Blackhawks at Benchmark International Arena. If you are hunting for sharp data and punchy analysis, our latest nhl tips have you covered for this inter-conference matchup.

The numbers jump off the page right away in this one. Tampa Bay comes into the contest sitting 7th on the ladder with a solid 9-3-2 record (20 points), while Chicago sits 31st overall with a 4-10-1 record (9 points). The contrast in firepower makes this an intriguing clash to kick off your Friday sports action.

Who will win? Lightning look to keep rolling at home

Tampa Bay rates a real chance to claim victory here coming off a strong 4–2 win against the Detroit Red Wings on home ice. Across their last five games overall, the Lightning attack has been firing, averaging 4.2 goals per game. Their season average of 3.71 goals per game gets a big tick, powered by leading scorers Nikita Kucherov (4G, 16A), Brandon Hagel (8G, 8A), and Jake Guentzel (8G, 6A).

Chicago enters this outing coming off a 2–5 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Blackhawks have struggled for consistent offense this season, ranking near the bottom with just 2.2 goals per game and giving up 3.87 goals against per game. Connor Bedard (4G, 6A), Patrick Kane (1G, 8A), and Roman Kantserov (6G, 2A) lead their scoring, but controlling possession has been tough with a 45.0% Corsi rating compared to Tampa Bay's 55.6%.

On the head-to-head board, Tampa Bay is listed as 1.22 favourites, with Chicago priced at 4.00 for the outright upset.

Win (Inc. OT)
Odds correct as at . Odds can change.
Big tickOur tip: Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay is coming off a victory, boasts a 9-3-2 record, and holds a major edge in goals per game (3.71 vs 2.2).

Tipped at $1.22 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Head-to-head context

Season and last-five scoring — context for the match-winner market.

3.89Season avg goals for2.21
2.95Season avg goals against4.11
68%Season win rate26%
4.4Last 5 avg goals for2.8
80%Last-five win rate20%
73.7%Points percentage28.9%
21.2%Power play11.1%
71.7%Penalty kill78.3%
88.3%Save percentage86.4%

Leading scorers

Season goals and assists.

Tampa Bay Lightning

PlayerG-A
Nikita KucherovRW8G 20A
Brandon HagelLW13G 11A
Jake GuentzelC11G 13A

Chicago Blackhawks

PlayerG-A
Connor BedardC5G 10A
Roman KantserovRW9G 3A
Frank NazarC7G 2A

Puck Line: Finding value on the spread

The puck line is set at 2.5 goals, with Tampa Bay -2.5 sitting at 2.10 and Chicago +2.5 priced at 1.70. Lays of 2.5 goals are steep in the NHL, even for high-scoring sides. The numbers say Chicago's last five overall losses have included single-goal margins, like their 4–5 defeat to Boston and 2–3 result against Florida.

While Tampa Bay boasts superior metrics across the board, covering a 2.5-goal deficit requires a dominant scoreboard margin. Chicago getting a +2.5 start at 1.70 rates consideration for punters looking at spread options.

Puck Line
Odds correct as at . Odds can change.
Solid tickOur tip: Chicago Blackhawks +2.5. Covering a 2.5-goal puck line is a tough ask in ice hockey, giving the Blackhawks with a +2.5 start solid statistical value.

Tipped at $1.70 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Line cover (form)

Cover rate applies this match's live spread to recent completed scores — not a season ATS record.

Tampa Bay Lightning-2.5last 5

Cover rate20%1/5
Avg margin (+1.8)avg 1.8vs 2.5
-6.46.5

Chicago Blackhawks+2.5last 5

Cover rate60%3/5
20%Cover % (form)60%

Season goal difference per game, set against this match's puck line. The marker is the margin that covers.

Tampa Bay Lightningavg 0.9vs 2.5
-3.44
Chicago Blackhawksavg -1.9vs -2.5
-3.44
0.9Goal diff / game-1.9
0.4Expected goal diff / game-0.6
55%5-on-5 shot share44.6%

Total Goals: Weighing up the 6.5 line

The total line for Friday's matchup is set at 6.5 goals, with the Over at 1.95 and the Under paying 1.80. Tampa Bay's games have seen plenty of action recently, with an overall last-five average of 4.2 goals scored and 4.4 goals conceded.

However, Chicago's offense has averaged just 2.2 goals per game over their last five starts overall, and 2.0 goals per game across their last three home outings. With Chicago's power play operating at 10.64% on the season, the Under 6.5 goals line at 1.80 looms as an appealing angle.

Total Goals
Odds correct as at . Odds can change.
Solid tickOur tip: Under 6.5. Chicago is averaging just 2.2 goals per game on the season with a 10.64% power play, making Under 6.5 goals a strong statistical play.

Tipped at $1.80 · . Opinion, not a guarantee. Gamble responsibly — 18+.

Total goals

Combined score from recent completed games · marker shows live line 6.5.

Tampa Bay Lightning games (n=5)avg 7vs 6.5
2.512
Chicago Blackhawks games (n=5)avg 8vs 6.5
2.512

Hit rate vs 6.5

Tampa Bay Lightningn=5
Over 60%Under 40%
Chicago Blackhawksn=5
Over 80%Under 20%
4.4Avg goals for (form)2.8

Season scoring rates per game. Marker is the live total of 6.5.

Both attacksavg 6.1vs 6.5
2.59.5
Tampa Bay Lightning attack vs Chicago Blackhawks defenceavg 8vs 6.5
2.59.5
Chicago Blackhawks attack vs Tampa Bay Lightning defenceavg 5.2vs 6.5
2.59.5
Expected goals combinedavg 4.1vs 6.5
2.59.5
29.4Shots for / game23.1
3.89Season goals for / game2.21

Same Game Multi Options

Same Game Multi markets are available for this contest at Benchmark International Arena. Punters looking to combine match winner, total goals, and puck line selections into a single wager can build their custom multi ahead of puck drop.