Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning return home to the Benchmark International Arena seeking their first win of the season when they host the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. Both Eastern Conference contenders are 0-1 and looking to bounce back from disappointing openers in which each team squandered multiple leads.
The Lightning jumped out to a 2–0 lead in their opener against Ottawa before collapsing late in a 4–3 defeat, while the Devils fell 6–3 to Carolina after allowing three goals in the final 10 minutes. Both clubs have offensive firepower, but early defensive lapses and turnovers have been costly.
Oddsmakers have Tampa Bay listed as -141 favorites, with New Jersey at +119 and the total set at 6.0 goals (Over -112, Under -108). For a deeper look at how these early results could shape each team’s playoff outlook, visit our NHL Conference Odds & Predictions
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Line Movement and Odds
Tampa Bay opened around -135 and has ticked up slightly to -141 as public bettors back the home team to rebound. Roughly 57% of tickets and 61% of the money are on the Lightning, while sharp bettors are leaning toward the Over 6.0 (-112) due to both clubs’ high-octane offenses.
The Lightning were the NHL’s top-scoring team last season, while the Devils ranked fifth — combining for over 7.1 goals per game on average. That history, paired with their defensive struggles in Week 1, has kept the total steady despite moderate early action on the under.
“That loss was more on us,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper admitted. “You can’t blow a two-goal lead at home. But it’s Game 1 — execution will come.”


Matchup Breakdown
New Jersey Devils Outlook:
New Jersey’s opening-night loss to Carolina exposed issues in defensive coverage and puck exits. Still, their forward depth remains elite — Jesper Bratt scored and added an assist, while Dougie Hamilton and Cody Glass also found the back of the net. Sheldon Keefe’s Devils recorded 22 shots on goal but were outworked in transition, an area they’ll look to clean up against Tampa. Expect Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier to see heavy minutes as New Jersey seeks its first win.
“It’s a major about-face from preseason to this,” Keefe said. “We were second-best all night long, but we’ll respond.”
Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook:
Despite the late collapse, Tampa Bay’s offense looked lethal early — Nikita Kucherov and Oliver Bjorkstrand each tallied power-play goals as the Bolts converted twice on three opportunities. Andrei Vasilevskiy faced 27 shots and kept the game close, but defensive zone turnovers hurt. With stars like Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos still creating chances, the Lightning should generate pressure early. The home crowd and their proven bounce-back ability (17-4 in their last 21 games following a home loss) make them a tough fade here.
“Execution’s the key,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to trust the process and not get sloppy with the puck.”
Injuries and Conditions
New Jersey Devils | Tampa Bay Lightning |
---|---|
Seamus Casey – Out (Lower Body) | Zemgus Girgensons – Out (Upper Body) |
Johnathan Kovacevic – Out (Undisclosed) | Nick Paul – Out (Lower Body) |
Dawson Mercer – Questionable (Illness) | Conor Sheary – Questionable (Groin) |
— | Anthony Cirelli – Probable (Maintenance) |
Devils Injury Report | Lightning Injury Report |
Weather: Indoor venue; clear and mild conditions in Tampa.




Best Bets and Prediction
This matchup screams bounce-back for Tampa Bay. Expect Cooper’s group to tighten up defensively and lean on their elite power play against a Devils team still adapting under Keefe. Both teams can score, but the Lightning’s experience and home edge should carry them through in a fast-paced game that sees goals on both sides.
Pick: Lightning ML (-141)
Projected Final Score: Lightning 4, Devils 3
Best Bet: Over 6.0 (-112)
Lean: Lightning ML (-141)
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Saturday Night East Coast Clash
This early-season test features two top-tier offenses trying to find rhythm — and bettors can expect fireworks. Track expert over/under trends and live line movements →
Category | Detail |
---|---|
Best Bet | Lightning ML (-141) |
Confidence Rating | ★★★★☆ |
Projected Score | Lightning 4, Devils 3 |
Total Lean | Over 6.0 (-112) |
Market Split | 57% bets Lightning, 61% sharp money Over |
ScoresAndStats Handicappers and Picks
The ScoresAndStats Handicappers Leaderboard tracks the top-performing NHL analysts and provides transparency on win percentages, ROI, and current streaks — a key advantage for bettors navigating early-season volatility.
Sharp cappers are targeting Over trends in games featuring Tampa Bay and New Jersey due to their aggressive forechecking and transition-heavy systems. According to the Service Plays section, high-total matchups like this one offer prop value on power-play points, first-period totals, and player shots on goal.
Early in the season, when teams are still tightening defensive chemistry, bettors who trust data-driven experts gain a serious edge. ScoresAndStats delivers real-time odds, model projections, and verified expert insights — giving you every tool to skate past the books.
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