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Two divisional rivals get set to do battle on Monday night, as the Toronto Maple Leafs play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning, hoping for an important victory.
Many wondered how good the Lightning were going to be heading into the 2025-26 season. Despite having plenty of championship experience on the roster, the team’s core is not getting any younger. Yet, Tampa Bay has responded after a very sluggish start to the season, and is now sitting among the best in the Eastern Conference.
The Lightning might be sliding a little bit, having dropped each of their past three games. However, thanks to a seven-game win streak that just before this most recent stretch, Tampa sits atop the Atlantic Division, just ahead of the Boston Bruins.
The Maple Leafs are playing well below expectations. Even though they are just four points back of the Lightning, they might as well be on the other side of the standings the way this season has gone. Even with the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares, injuries and lackluster play have Toronto sitting outside the playoff picture.
NHL HOCKEY
Tampa Bay Lightning (16-10-2) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (13-11-4)
When: Monday, December 8
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto, Ontario)
Channel: NHL Network
Check out the NHL standings and scores here