Tampa Bay at Chicago

The standings say that Tampa Bay at 11-3-1 is the better team in this game as they head to Chicago who is off to a rather pedestrian 8-6-1 start, considering the talent on this team. The oddsmakers have said don't be fooled by the records by posting Chicago as a 1.5-1 favorite here, and I agree. Chicago has not gotten the offense moving, but they are defending extremely well as they have allowed just 28 goals through 15 games at less than 2 per contest, and that will win you a lot of games in this league. They have allowed even fewer at home showing just 13 opponent tallies in nine games, holding eight of the nine opponents to 2 or fewer. Tampa Bay is riding a six-game winning streak, having scored 4 or more goals in each game, and that should just add to the focus of the Chicago defense. Tampa Bay has a nice looking record to start their season, but this has been a team with long term problems when playing on the road vs. the better teams as the Lightning own a dismal 14-46 record in their last 60 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. This will also be their fourth game in six days, a situation unbecoming to them, as they are 3-8 in their last 11. The Blackhawks are a powerful 67-27 in their last 94 on home ice, and power up for the good teams where they are 7-1 in their last eight vs. a team over .600. Tampa Bay is 6-1 to the UNDER when playing for the third time in four nights, and Chicago is now 7-1 in their last eight at home to the UNDER, and 6-0 to the UNDER when following a win in their last six. Take Chicago and the UNDER in this one.