The Tampa Bay Lightning will play host to the Chicago Blackhawks to kick off the 2020-21 NHL season. Opening night will take place Wednesday Night in Tampa Bay starting at 8 pm EST. January 15th will be the date for the second game taking place at 7 pm EST, also in Tampa Bay. Coming off a Stanley Cup victory, the Lightning will play the new season without their star, Nikita Kucherov. Furthermore, with new spots opening on the defensive side of the puck, we could see Cal Foote’s NHL debut. On the other hand, the Blackhawks will be playing with a new and unexperienced goaltending corps. The likely starter, Malcolm Subban, has played 66 NHL Games with a .899 Sv%, and a 2.97 GAA. Furthermore, backup goalie Collin Delia, has only been featured in 18 NHL games, with not great stats either. A new season will bring new exciting beginnings for these two teams.
X-Factors
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s x-factor in this matchup will be Brayden Point. Without the presence of Kucherov, Point could emerge as Tampa Bay’s top player this season. The Tampa Bay center has always been known as a key talent on the roster, but he evolved into a household name in the 2020 playoffs. Brayden Point scored a total of 33 points in 24 games in the 2020 playoffs. Point will be an x-factor as he will have to fill Kucherov’s 1.25 point per game gap he is leaving behind. If Point can make up for this loss the Lightning should have no trouble versus Chicago. Furthermore, if Brayden Point can succeed this season the Lightning will likely be on their way to a division title and another run at a cup.
Contrastingly, Malcolm Subban will be the x-factor for the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27 year old Toronto native will finally play his first staring role in his 7th NHL season. After Corey Crawford left this past offseason, he left a 10 year Chicago legacy behind him for the management to sort out. Little action was taken, and they are left with Subban to prove himself. Goaltending as a whole will be important for Chicago this year. Subban’s first two games against Tampa Bay will set the pace for his first season as a starting goalie.
Author’s Prediction
The Tampa Bay Lightning will get off to a hot start to begin the season winning both games to start 2-0. Furthermore, the Lightning will score 4 or more goals in both games. The x-factor for the Lightning, Brayden Point, will score at least a goal and total 3 points. On the other hand, the Blackhawks will put up a fight in at least one of the games. The Blackhawks will finish the series with a -4 or worse goal differential as a team, too. Malcolm Subban, the x-factor for the Blackhawks, will finish below a .900 sv% and will be pulled at least once. The 2020-21 season will be full of excitement, and this series will be a precursor for what is to come.