The Tampa Bay Lightning (12-10-5) travel to face off against the Nashville Predators (13-12-0) on Thursday, December 7th. This game will be played at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and televised on BSSU. Both team’s come into this one having won their previous games. Puck drop is set for 8:00 ET.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators

The Tampa Bay Lightning Are Coming Off A Win

The Lightning come in with an overall record of 12-10-5. On the road, Tampa Bay has a 4-7-2 record, whereas they are 8-3-3 at home. Their current record places them 4th in the Eastern Atlantic division and 6th in the Eastern conference. Tampa Bay’s average scoring difference this season sits at -0.1, which has contributed to their overall puck line record of 15-12. When playing at home, they have a scoring margin of +.7, and on the road, it is -1.1.

The Lightning recently hosted the Penguins and emerged victorious with a 3-1 win. Looking at the Lightning offense vs. the Penguins, they managed to score one goal in the opening period and two times in the second period. Tampa Bay’s two power-play goals contributed to their total of 3 goals. Their offensive performance came with 27 shots on goal and nine giveaways.

Tampa Bay secured a win against the puck line, entering the game as the favorites with a -1.5 goal advantage. The game finished below the over/under line of 6.5 with a combined total of 4 goals.

The Nashville Predators Are Coming Off A Win

This season, the Predators currently hold an overall record of 13-12-0. When playing on the road, Nashville has a 5-6-0 record, while they are 8-6-0 at home. In the Western Central division, they are currently 6th, and in the Western conference, they come into the game sitting 9th. Nashville comes in with seven wins with a margin of more than one goal this season and lost eight games by multiple goals. Their overall puck line performance is 13-12.

In their last game, the Predators went up against the Blackhawks and emerged as winners with a score of 4-3. On the offensive front, the Predators failed to score in the first or third periods against the Blackhawks, but they found the net three times in the second period. Out of Nashville’s four goals, one were scored during power plays. They concluded the game with 30 shots on goal and had nine giveaways.

Despite the straight-up win, Nashville did not cover the puck line, as they were favored by -1.5. The combined total of 7 goals exceeded the over/under line, which was set at 6 goals for the game.

Tampa Bay Offense Breakdown

When looking at their offense, the Lightning have an average of 3.3 goals per game this season, positioning themselves 3rd in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are ranked 6th in the league. The Tampa Bay offense is ranked 1st in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they find themselves at 29th in the NHL.

The Lightning’s over/under record this season is 12-13-2. For the season, they have had 14 games that surpassed this game’s over/under line of 6. Overall, their games are averaging6.8 goals per game.

Nashville Offense Breakdown

On the offensive side, the Predators are scoring an 3.2 goals per game this season, ranking 11th in the NHL. When it came to shots on target per game, they are 11th in the league. This season, the Predators have a 7-7 record in games where they outshoot their opponent. In games with fewer shots on goal, they hold a 6-5 record.

This season, the Predators have an over/under record of 12-9-4. Throughout the season, they have played 11 games that went over the 6 over/under line. The average number of goals in their games is 6.4 per game.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Defensively, the Lightning are currently 6th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 30.5 shots per game against Tampa Bay. They also are 3rd in shutouts, coming in with 3 shutouts.

Nashville Team Defense

Defensively, the Predators are currently 16th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 30 shots per game against Nashville. They also are 15th in shutouts, coming in with 1 shutouts.

Lightning vs Predators Trends

• Although Tampa Bay has a straight up record of 4-6 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the puck line going 5-5. The team averaged 3 goals per game in these games.
• Across the Predators last five home games, the team averaged 3 goals per game while allowing 3. Their record vs the puck line in these contests was 2-3, while going 3-2 straight-up.
• The Predators have played well in their last three games as the betting underdog, going 2-1 straight up and 3-0 against the spread.
• Looking back on the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Lightning have a straight up record of 2-3. Their record vs the puck line in these games was 2-3.

Lightning vs Predators Prediction

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Lightning to pick up on a win over the Predators and the road. With the moneyline sitting at -112, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Lightning straight-up.

If you’re looking for my recommendation on the puck line, I suggest taking the Predators to cover. Even if the Lightning manage to win outright, this game is expected to remain competitive, and the Predators 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.