The Tampa Bay Lightning (18-13-3) host the Carolina Hurricanes (22-9-3) at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Lightning have lost three games in a row.
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Before watching this matchup, here is a peek at which team we predict will come out on top in Saturday's action on the ice.
The Hurricanes have gone 7-2-1 in the last 10 games, totaling 27 total goals (seven power-play goals on 34 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 20.6%). They have given up 22 goals to their opponents.
Lightning vs. Hurricanes Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this matchup expects a final tally of Lightning 4, Hurricanes 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-120)
- Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 6 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Hurricanes (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning (18-13-3 overall) have a 3-3-6 record in contests that have gone to overtime.
- Tampa Bay has 14 points (6-7-2) in the 15 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- In the three games this season the Lightning scored only one goal, they finished 0-2-1.
- Tampa Bay has taken eight points from the 10 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (3-5-2 record).
- The Lightning have scored three or more goals in 19 games (15-4-0, 30 points).
- In the 12 games when Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal, it has a 7-3-2 record (16 points).
- In the 16 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 5-9-2 (12 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 17 games, going 12-4-1 to register 25 points.
Hurricanes Splits and Trends
- The Hurricanes (22-9-3 overall) have posted a record of 8-3-11 in matchups that have needed OT this season.
- Carolina has earned 15 points (7-2-1) in its 10 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Hurricanes scored just one goal in seven games and they've earned two points (1-6-0) in those contests.
- When Carolina has scored a pair of goals this season, they've earned four points (2-2-0 record).
- The Hurricanes have earned 41 points in their 23 games with three or more goals scored.
- This season, Carolina has recorded a lone power-play goal in 15 games and picked up 21 points with a record of 10-4-1.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Carolina is 21-7-2 (44 points).
- The Hurricanes have been outshot by opponents four times this season, and earned three points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Hurricanes AVG | Hurricanes Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11th | 3.15 | Goals Scored | 3.26 | 5th |
| 6th | 2.62 | Goals Allowed | 2.74 | 8th |
| 18th | 27.9 | Shots | 32.9 | 2nd |
| 8th | 26.7 | Shots Allowed | 24.6 | 1st |
| 24th | 16.51% | Power Play % | 16.04% | 25th |
| 2nd | 85.19% | Penalty Kill % | 81.05% | 16th |
Lightning vs. Hurricanes Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, December 20, 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
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