Photo: Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-9-2) and New York Islanders (15-10-3) meet at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Lightning lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in their most recent outing, while the Islanders are coming off a 6-3 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.
To prepare for this matchup, here's who we project to emerge victorious in Saturday's hockey game.
The Islanders have a 5-4-1 record in their past 10 games. They have totaled 23 goals while giving up 19 in that period. On the power play, 34 opportunities have resulted in three goals (8.8% success rate).
Lightning vs. Islanders Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this contest predicts a final result of Lightning 4, Islanders 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-147)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Islanders (+1.5)
Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.
Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning are 3-2-5 in overtime games on their way to a 16-9-2 overall record.
- In the 14 games Tampa Bay has played that were decided by one goal, it has a 6-6-2 record (good for 14 points).
- In the two games this season the Lightning scored only one goal, they finished 0-1-1.
- Tampa Bay has finished 3-4-1 in the eight games this season when it scored a pair of goals (registering seven points).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals 17 times, and are 13-4-0 in those games (to record 26 points).
- In the nine games when Tampa Bay has scored a lone power-play goal, it has a 6-2-1 record (13 points).
- In the 11 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 5-5-1 (11 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 16 games, going 11-4-1 to register 23 points.
Islanders Splits and Trends
- The Islanders have a 4-3-7 record in overtime games this season and a 15-10-3 overall record.
- New York has earned 16 points (8-2-0) in its 10 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Islanders registered just one goal in four games and they lost every time.
- New York has two points (1-5-0) in six games this season when it has scored exactly two goals.
- The Islanders have scored three or more goals in 17 games, earning 29 points from those contests.
- This season, New York has recorded a lone power-play goal in nine games and registered 13 points with a record of 6-2-1.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, New York is 3-9-2 (eight points).
- The Islanders have been outshot by opponents in 12 games, going 11-1-0 to register 22 points.
Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.
Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Islanders AVG | Islanders Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | 3.26 | Goals Scored | 2.96 | 18th |
| 6th | 2.63 | Goals Allowed | 2.79 | 9th |
| 20th | 27 | Shots | 29.7 | 6th |
| 13th | 27.4 | Shots Allowed | 27.4 | 13th |
| 25th | 15.12% | Power Play % | 13.83% | 29th |
| 1st | 87.36% | Penalty Kill % | 82.93% | 8th |
Lightning vs. Islanders Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida
Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Lightning take on Islanders.