The Eastern Conference's fourth-ranked squad, the Tampa Bay Lightning (18-11-2), visit the third-ranked group from the conference, the New York Islanders (18-11-3), on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Before this matchup, here's who we project to take home the victory in Saturday's hockey contest.
The Islanders are 6-3-1 in their past 10 games, totaling 25 goals while allowing 21 in that period. On 31 power-play opportunities during that time, they have scored seven goals (22.6%).
Lightning vs. Islanders Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projections model for this matchup calls for a final tally of Islanders 4, Lightning 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Islanders (+106)
- 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 (18-11-2 overall) have a 3-2-5 record in games that have required overtime.
- 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 registered only one goal, they finished 0-1-1.
- Tampa Bay has finished 3-4-1 in the eight games this season when it scored two goals (registering seven points).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals in 19 games (15-4-0, 30 points).
- In the 10 games when Tampa Bay has scored a lone power-play goal, it picked up 15 points after finishing 7-2-1.
- In games when it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 5-7-1 (11 points).
- The Lightning's opponents have had more shots in 17 games. The Lightning finished 12-4-1 in those contests (25 points).
Islanders Splits and Trends
- The Islanders have a record of 18-11-3 this season and are 5-3-8 in overtime games.
- In the 10 games New York has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 16 points.
- This season the Islanders scored just one goal in five games and they lost every time.
- New York has four points (2-5-0) when scoring exactly two goals this season.
- The Islanders have earned 33 points in their 19 games with three or more goals scored.
- This season, New York has scored a single power-play goal in 11 games has a record of 8-2-1 in those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, New York is 4-9-2 (10 points).
- The Islanders' opponents have had more shots in 15 games. The Islanders finished 13-2-0 in those matchups (26 points).
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Islanders AVG | Islanders Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8th | 3.29 | Goals Scored | 2.97 | 19th |
| 4th | 2.58 | Goals Allowed | 2.75 | 8th |
| 19th | 27.5 | Shots | 29.3 | 10th |
| 11th | 27.3 | Shots Allowed | 28 | 16th |
| 23rd | 16.84% | Power Play % | 16.35% | 25th |
| 2nd | 85.86% | Penalty Kill % | 84.44% | 5th |
Lightning vs. Islanders Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:30 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: UBS Arena in Elmont, New York
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