Lightning vs. Blackhawks: Projected lines, injuries and storylines

Before beginning a four-game trip to the northeast, the Lightning wrap up the homestand against Chicago. The Lightning have split the first two games of the homestand, defeating the Stars 6-1 and falling 5-3 to the Islanders. Chicago enters with two straight victories over the Rangers and Penguins.

Expected lines. Subject to change.
Forwards
Vladislav Namestnikov - Steven Stamkos - Nikita Kucherov
Ondrej Palat - Brayden Point - Yanni Gourde
Chris Kunitz - JT Brown - Ryan Callahan
Alex Killorn - Tyler Johnson -
Defense
Victor Hedman - Andrej Sustr
Mikhail Sergachev - Anton Stralman
Braydon Coburn - Dan Girardi
Goalies
Andrei Vasilevskiy expected to start
WEDNESDAY'S MATCHUP
The Lightning and the Blackhawks are playing their first of two meetings this season and the only meeting at AMALIE Arena...Tampa Bay swept Chicago last season...The Lightning scored four goals, two from Tyler Johnson, in the third period at the United Center on Jan. 24 to overcome a 2-1 deficit and win 5-2 in Chicago...The Bolts completed the season sweep at home on March 27 after rallying from a 4-1 deficit and winning 5-4 in overtime, Yanni Gourde netting the game-winner at 4:25 of the extra session...Tampa Bay has won six-straight regular season games at home over Chicago and hasn't lost at AMALIE Arena to the Blackhawks since Feb. 17, 2009 (a 5-3 defeat)...The Lightning are 11-4-1 with three ties all-time at home in the regular season vs. Chicago...The Lightning haven't lost to Chicago in regulation during the regular season since Dec. 13, 2009 (a 4-0 defeat), going 9-0-2 since...Andrei Vasilevskiy is 2-0-0
and has given up six goals on 65 shots all-time for his career in the regular season vs. Chicago...Steven Stamkos has 11 goals and 17 points in 11 all-time regular season games vs. Chicago, tied for his second-highest points per game average (1.55) against any team.
WEDNESDAY'S STORYLINES
Tampa Bay continues to pace the NHL for points (32), points percentage (.800) and goal differential (+28)...The Lightning are tied for first in the League for wins (15) with STL and goals (79) with TOR...The Bolts are off to their best start in franchise history with 32 points and a 15-3-2 record through 20 games, four points better than the 28 put up by the 2013-14 (14-6-0) and 2014-15 (13-5-2) teams through 20 games...Tampa Bay leads the NHL for goals per game at 3.95 and is fourth for goals allowed per game at 2.55 (no other NHL team ranks in the top seven in both categories).
INJURIES
2017-18 Regular Season Man Games Lost: 15
Current injuries:
Jake Dotchin - Undisclosed (DAY-TO-DAY)
Cedric Paquette - Upper body (DAY-TO-DAY) 13 Games
TRANSACTIONS
Nov. 14 -- Acquired G Louis Dominigue from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for G Michael Leighton and F Tye McGinn
STAMMER TIME
Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos saw his five-game point streak come to a close Nov. 18 vs. NYI...Stamkos has recorded points in 17 of 20 games and has 11 multi-point performances in 2017-18...Stamkos has recorded more points through 20 games than any other player in Lightning history, bettering the mark of 34 set by Vincent Lecavalier in 2007-08 and matched by Stamkos in 2010-11...Stamkos continues to pace the NHL for scoring.
Stamkos owns a share of the longest point streak in the NHL this season (4-17--21 over 11 games from Oct. 6-26) along with teammate Nikita Kucherov...Stamkos has recorded at least one assist in 14 games and has nine multi-assist performances on the season...Stamkos leads the NHL for assists.
Stamkos is tied with WSH's T.J. Oshie for most power-play goals (7) in the League and has recorded a power-play point in 13 of 20 games this season...Stamkos leads the NHL for power-play scoring.
NIFTY NIKITA
Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov saw his five-game point streak come to an end Nov. 18 vs. NYI...Kucherov has points in 17 of 20 games and has 12 multi-point performances in 2017-18...Kucherov ranks second in the NHL for scoring and power-play scoring...Kucherov's 33 points are the fourth most through 20 games in Lightning history...Kucherov owns the longest goal streak in the NHL this season, scoring in seven-straight games (8 goals total) to start the season (Oct. 6-17)...Kucherov leads the NHL for goals.
Kucherov's 17 goals are the third most through 20 games in Lightning history...Kucherov owns the most regular season points (83), goals (44), power-play goals (16) and power-play points (33) in the NHL during the 2017 calendar year (since Jan. 1)...Over the past two seasons, Kucherov leads the NHL for goals and ranks second for scoring with 118 points (first: EDM's Connor McDavid - 125).