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The Tampa Bay Lightning (16-9-2), coming off a 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, host the New York Islanders (15-10-3) at Benchmark International Arena on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Islanders defeated the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 in their last outing.
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Ahead of watching this matchup, here is our prediction for which club will bring home the win in Saturday's hockey action.
The Islanders have gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 contests, putting up 23 goals while allowing 19 in that time. On 34 power-play opportunities during that span, they have scored three goals (8.8%).
Lightning vs. Islanders Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projections model for this contest calls for a final score of Lightning 4, Islanders 2.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-189)
- Total Pick: Over 5.5 (computer predicts 5.9 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Islanders (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning are 3-2-5 in overtime matchups as part of a 16-9-2 overall record.
- Tampa Bay has 14 points (6-6-2) in the 14 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- In the two games this season the Lightning scored only one goal, they finished 0-1-1.
- Tampa Bay has finished 3-4-1 in the eight games this season when it scored exactly two goals (registering seven points).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals in 17 games (13-4-0, 26 points).
- In the nine games when Tampa Bay has recorded a single power-play goal, it went 6-2-1 to record 13 points.
- When it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 5-5-1 (11 points).
- The Lightning's opponents have had more shots in 16 games. The Lightning went 11-4-1 in those matchups (23 points).
Islanders Splits and Trends
- The Islanders (15-10-3 overall) have posted a record of 4-3-7 in contests that have needed OT this season.
- New York has earned 16 points (8-2-0) in its 10 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Islanders recorded only one goal in four games and they lost every time.
- New York has two points (1-5-0) in six games this season when it has scored a pair of goals.
- The Islanders have earned 29 points in their 17 games with at least three goals scored.
- This season, New York has scored a single power-play goal in nine games and registered 13 points with a record of 6-2-1.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, New York is 3-9-2 (eight points).
- The Islanders have been outshot by opponents 12 times this season, and earned 22 points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Islanders AVG | Islanders Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | 3.26 | Goals Scored | 2.96 | 20th |
| 6th | 2.63 | Goals Allowed | 2.79 | 9th |
| 20th | 27 | Shots | 29.7 | 7th |
| 13th | 27.4 | Shots Allowed | 27.4 | 13th |
| 25th | 15.12% | Power Play % | 13.83% | 29th |
| 1st | 87.36% | Penalty Kill % | 82.93% | 8th |
Lightning vs. Islanders Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, December 6, 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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