Nashville Predators vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions October 28th 2025

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning visit the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:45 PM ET on ESPN+.

Both teams have struggled to produce offense through the first few weeks of the season, ranking among the league’s bottom five in goals per game. Nashville looks to end its homestand with a statement win, while Tampa Bay rides the confidence of back-to-back victories.

Line Movement and Odds

Tampa Bay opened as -158 favorites, while Nashville is a +133 underdog. The total is set at 6.0 goals, with a slight lean toward the under given both teams’ recent offensive droughts.

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Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook

The Lightning are slowly finding rhythm after a tough start, picking up consecutive wins over Anaheim and Vegas. Nikita Kucherov’s overtime goal on Sunday gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 victory over the Golden Knights, marking his third of the season.

Offensively, the Lightning rank near the bottom of the league at 2.67 goals per game, but recent form shows promise. Jake Guentzel leads the team with 10 points, while Anthony Cirelli has five goals. Victor Hedman remains key on both ends, tied for second in team scoring.

Tampa Bay’s power play continues to lag — just one goal in their last 15 chances — but coach Jon Cooper remains confident given the improved zone control and shot quality.

Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his first win of the season against Vegas and owns a career 9-3-1 mark versus Nashville with a 2.34 GAA.

Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Report

• Maxwell Crozier – out (undisclosed)
• Niko Huuhtanen – out (undisclosed)
• Nick Paul – out (upper body)
• Scott Sabourin – out (suspension)

Nashville Predators Outlook

Nashville dropped a 3-2 decision to Dallas on Sunday after leading 2-0, snapping a two-game win streak. The Predators’ 2.5 goals per game rank near the bottom of the NHL, and their power play sits at just 9.7% (3-for-31).

Captain Roman Josi remains week-to-week with an upper-body injury, though Jonathan Marchessault’s return from injury has provided a boost. Marchessault scored his third goal of the year against Dallas, while Ryan O’Reilly continues to pace the team with nine points.

Coach Andrew Brunette’s system has emphasized defensive structure, and Nashville ranks top-15 in blocked shots and hits. Goaltender Juuse Saros will need to be sharp — he’s 4-6-4 lifetime against Tampa Bay with an .890 save percentage.

Nashville Predators Injury Report

• Roman Josi – out (upper body)

Key Matchup / Path to Victory

Both teams have struggled to find offensive consistency, making goaltending the deciding factor. Vasilevskiy and Saros have faced heavy workloads, and both defenses limit high-danger chances.

The Lightning’s power play could be the swing factor — if Tampa converts with the man advantage, they hold a clear edge. Nashville’s path to victory lies in staying disciplined and grinding out low-scoring hockey behind a strong forecheck.

Best Bets and Prediction

This matchup projects as a tight, defensive contest between two teams trying to climb back into rhythm. Tampa Bay’s recent form and edge in goaltending make them the safer pick, but Nashville’s home record suggests this will be close.

Projected Score: Lightning 4, Predators 3
Best Bet: Lightning Moneyline (-158)
Secondary Lean: Over 6.0 (-104)

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