Blackhawks Face Lightning in High-Stakes NHL Showdown at United Center

CHICAGO, Ill. — The Chicago Blackhawks will host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the United Center on Friday, January 24, 2025, in their first matchup of the season. Puck drop is set for 8:00 p.m. ET, with the game broadcast on CHSN and WGN-720-AM radio.

The Lightning enter the game as heavy favorites, boasting a -220 odds advantage, according to NHL betting lines. Tampa Bay has dominated the series since 2017, winning 16 of the last 19 meetings, with 15 of those victories coming by at least a two-goal margin.

Chicago, coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, will look to rebound. Forward Tyler Bertuzzi has been a standout, scoring nine goals in his last 14 games, while defenseman Seth Jones has been a key contributor with 10 points in his last 12 games.

Tampa Bay, led by star goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, has been strong on both ends of the ice. Vasilevskiy holds a 20-14-2 record this season with a .914 save percentage and a 2.38 goals-against average. The Lightning rank ninth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) and first in goals scored per game.

Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek, projected to start, has struggled this season with a 9-16-2 record and a .896 save percentage. Chicago’s defense ranks 26th in xGA/60, presenting a challenge against Tampa Bay’s potent offense.

Key players to watch include Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel, who lead the team in goals and power-play goals. Both skaters have been consistent scorers, with at least one of them finding the net in three of the last four games.

The Blackhawks will rely on forward Philipp Kurashev, who recently posted his first multi-point game of the season. Kurashev is two games shy of reaching 300 NHL appearances, a milestone achieved by only 10 other Swiss-born players in league history.

Friday’s game marks a critical test for both teams as they continue their push for playoff positioning. The Lightning aim to extend their dominance over Chicago, while the Blackhawks seek to defy the odds and secure a much-needed victory.