NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning at Vancouver Canucks

2025-2026 Season Series: Tampa Bay 0-1 Vancouver

Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) | 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

How to Watch: Sportsnet+, SNP, The Spot, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

Location: Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia

The Vancouver Canucks start the second half of their eight-game home stand against the electrifying Tampa Bay Lightning. Tampa Bay sits at 41-21-4 after 66 games, with 86 points, while Vancouver sits at 21-38-8 after 67 games, with 50 points. This is the second and final meeting between these two teams. Vancouver beat Tampa in their first meeting, 6-2, on November 16th.

The Lightning Story

Tampa Bay has had an excellent season so far, boasting the second-best offensive output in the league at 3.53 and the fourth-best goals against rate at 2.76. They are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the league, with how balanced their team is. Nikita Kucherov ranks second in the league in points with 37 goals and 74 assists for 111 points, just four points behind Connor McDavid. With a top six that includes stars like Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel, their offence is in good hands. Not to mention, they also acquired a veteran presence in Corey Perry at the Trade Deadline. We know who’s making the Stanley Cup Finals now, don’t we?

The Canucks Story

Vancouver built some more good vibes in their 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Marco Rossi and Brock Boeser continue to wield the hot sticks on the team, recording three points each in that game. Elias Pettersson, the forward, also broke his 20-game goalless drought with a two-goal performance. The future could be bright for this team if they continue to build good team chemistry.

A side note, this game will coincide with the annual Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon Night, which is a fundraising initiative for families in need of support. Sportsnet analyst Elliotte Friedman and Canucks reporter Olivia McDonald will be hosting the event.

(Credit Image: © David Kirouac/Cal Sport Media)

Starting Goalies

Below are the projected starters for tonight’s game. Please check social media for the most updated information before locking in your daily fantasy lineups.

Tampa Bay will likely start Andrei Vasilevskiy in the net. In 46 games this season, he has a 31-12-3 record, a 2.30 goals-against average, and a .914 save percentage. Another excellent season for one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.

For Vancouver, Kevin Lankinen is coming off his first victory since January 21st and should get the start again tonight. In 37 games this season, he has an 8-21-5 record, a 3.60 goals-against average, and an .878 save percentage.

Prediction and Best Bets

Tampa Bay is on a bit of a rough stretch with just three wins in their last ten games, but with the firepower they have up front, they should be able to exploit the Canucks’ inexperienced defensive core. However, the Canucks are playing stress-free hockey, so they can potentially play the role of spoiler.

Prediction: Lightning win 4-3.

Best Bets

To wrap things up, here are our anytime goal scorer picks. For Tampa Bay, who else but Kucherov? For Vancouver, we will count on Marco Rossi to keep his hot hand going with a goal tonight.

Main photo by: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

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