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Table of Contents
Match Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | St. Louis Blues vs Tampa Bay Lightning |
| Date | Monday, December 22, 2025 |
| Venue | Amalie Arena |
| Location | Tampa, Florida |
| Game type | Interconference matchup |
| Spot | Final game before holiday break |
| Lightning note | Closing a four-game homestand |
| Blues note | Closing a two-game road trip |
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Line and Odds
| Market | Listing |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | Check live board |
| Puck line | Check live board |
| Total | Check live board |
Confirm the current numbers and any late movement on the NHL odds and lines page.
Movement Matchup
This matchup profiles as offense-driven, but the path to the ticket depends on which team controls the game state. Tampa showed it can flip a game quickly when the forecheck and second wave arrive, while St. Louis has been comfortable stepping on opponents when the schedule spot favors them.
If Tampa plays from in front, it can turn this into a puck-possession game where St. Louis has to take risks to generate chances. If the Blues get the first lead and Tampa starts chasing, the game can open up fast because both teams have enough skill to trade chances and both coaches will push offense before the break.
For market strategy on moneyline vs puck line and totals reads, the NHL betting guide is the cleanest reference.
Breakdown Injury Reports
Tampa Bay Lightning Injury Report
| Player | Position | Status | Impact note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon Hagel | F | Injured reserve | Removes a high-motor scorer and transition threat from the top-six |
St. Louis Blues Injury Report
| Player | Position | Status | Impact note |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | N/A | No major injuries reported | No expected lineup limitation |
Tampa Bay Recent performance
Tampa is coming off a statement comeback win over Carolina, erasing a three-goal deficit and finishing with a 6-4 win. The Lightning were poor early, then tightened their structure, got energy from the fourth line to start the second period, and turned momentum into sustained offense. Jake Guentzel’s late goals were the headline, but the more important takeaway was how quickly Tampa stabilized after a brutal first period.
Nikita Kucherov returned and immediately raised the team’s decision speed with the puck. Tampa is still managing home inconsistency, but snapping a four-game home losing streak matters because it resets the urgency and keeps this building from feeling tight.
St. Louis Blues Recent performance
St. Louis took advantage of a favorable spot in Florida and delivered a 6-2 win over the Panthers, scoring early, absorbing the pushback, then finishing the game with four unanswered goals. Robert Thomas drove the attack and continues to dictate play when the Blues are at their best, especially when the line is winning enough battles to extend zone time.
The new-look chemistry is worth tracking. Jonatan Berggren has already produced, and if that line keeps creating off possession rather than pure rush chances, St. Louis becomes harder to defend because it can score in multiple game scripts.
For bigger-picture context on how St. Louis is priced in its division race, check the Central Division odds and predictions.
Betting Insights and Trends
Tampa’s biggest edge is top-end creation. If the Lightning play clean through the neutral zone and avoid gifting odd-man looks, they can spend enough time in the offensive end to force penalties and tilt special teams. Hagel being out lowers the “free offense” from energy shifts, so Tampa needs sharper puck management and more direct net drives from its top groups.
St. Louis has been in solid form recently, and the Blues’ best path is straightforward: win enough board battles to keep Tampa’s transition in check, then make this a heavy, five-man game where Tampa has to score through layers. If the game stays tight into the third, live betting value often shows up on the side that’s getting the better of the possession battle rather than the one that had the early lead.
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Best Bets and Prediction
Best bet: Lightning moneyline (shop the best price on the live board)
Projected score: Lightning 4, Blues 3
Total: lean over if the number is 6 or lower
If the total is posted at 6.5, the over becomes more price-sensitive, but the matchup still has “3-3 heading into the third” potential because both teams are capable of turning a single swing into multiple goals.
For futures context around the top of the market, Stanley Cup odds and predictions is the quickest reference point.
Handicapper section
One pick is fine. Tracking who consistently beats the market is better. Check the handicapper leaderboard to sort by profit and ROI, then compare the top cappers’ cards with the full slate on today’s NHL picks.
