The Tampa Bay Lightning (13-9-2) travel to face off against the Vancouver Canucks (14-7-4) on Sunday, December 8th. This game will be played at Rogers Arena in Vancouver and televised on ESPN+. The Canucks are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Lightning are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Jets. Puck drop is set for 4:00 ET.

Lightning vs Canucks

The Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Tampa Bay dropped to 13-9-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

At one point, the Lightning led 2-0, but they allowed seven of the game’s final nine goals. Four different players scored for Tampa Bay in the loss.

The Vancouver Canucks Are Coming Off A Win

Vancouver improved to 14-7-4 with a 3-2 road win over the Sharks. The Canucks were favored on the puck line, but failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 5 goals fell short of that mark.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second period, Vancouver tied it up with a goal from Pius Suter at 5:19. Jake DeBrusk gave the Canucks the lead with a goal in the third, but the Sharks responded to tie it again. Suter scored the game-winner with just 26 seconds left in regulation.

Tampa Bay Offense Breakdown

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th, unassisted, in the third period.

The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They scored twice in the first period, added another in the second, and tied the game 4-4 with Kucherov’s goal at 13:09 in the third period.

Canucks Offense Breakdown

Vancouver took 27 shots on goal in their 3-2 win over San Jose, with Pius Suter scoring twice, bringing his season total to 3 and 4 goals. Jake DeBrusk added his first goal of the season. The Canucks were held scoreless in the first period before Suter found the net at 14:41 in the second period. DeBrusk’s goal came at 4:22 in the third, and Suter’s second goal was the game-winner, scored with just 26 seconds left.

Vancouver had 25 offensive giveaways and didn’t score on any power plays. The Canucks recorded 6 assists, including Carson Soucy’s first of the season on Suter’s game-winning goal.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled late, allowing four goals in the third period, including two empty-netters. Despite leading 2-0 in the first, they couldn’t hold off the Jets, who tied it at 3-3 in the second and scored the final three goals. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage.

Vancouver Team Defense

Vancouver’s defense gave up the first goal just 2:37 into the second period and another at 18:43 in the third. However, Kevin Lankinen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, and the defense contributed 5 takeaways and 24 hits.

Lightning vs Canucks Trends

• Across their three previous road games, Tampa Bay has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 4 goals per game.
• In their last five home games, Vancouver has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 3. The team’s record in this stretch was 2-3 while going 3-2.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Canucks have a straight up record of 2-8. Their record vs the puck line in these games was 6-4.
• In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Lightning have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 2-3 against the spread.

Lightning vs Canucks Prediction

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Canucks to take down the Lightning at home. With the moneyline currently at -110, I’m placing my bet on the Canucks straight-up.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Lightning to cover. Even if the Canucks win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Lightning should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.