New Jersey (0-1-0) at Tampa Bay (0-1-0)
- When: Oct 11 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL, USA
- TV: MSGSN2
New Jersey vs Tampa Bay NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Tampa Bay -145
Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+175)
Total: 6.0
Tampa Bay Lightning: Searching for a Spark After Letting One Slip Away
The Tampa Bay Lightning enter Saturday’s matchup eager to bounce back from a frustrating season opener that saw them blow two separate two-goal leads. The high-powered offense that led the NHL in scoring last season came out firing, taking a quick 2-0 advantage against Ottawa before completely stalling in the second half of the game.
Coach Jon Cooper admitted his team’s execution “wasn’t there,” and the numbers backed that up. Tampa Bay went nearly 19 minutes without a shot on goal in the third period while being outshot 21-11 down the stretch. Still, there were positives, the Lightning’s power play clicked twice in three chances, showing that Nikita Kucherov and Oliver Bjorkstrand are already in midseason form.
The real concern remains on the defensive end. Costly turnovers and sluggish backchecking allowed Ottawa to steal a late win. Tampa Bay will need a much cleaner effort in transition if it wants to avoid an 0-2 start, something rare for this veteran squad.
Prediction: Expect Tampa Bay to tighten up defensively and take advantage of home ice.
New Jersey Devils: Fighting to Find Rhythm After a Rough Opener
The New Jersey Devils were outworked and outskated in their opener against Carolina, falling 6-3 in a game that exposed their defensive weaknesses and transition issues. Despite flashes of brilliance from Jesper Bratt who tied the game late with a slick finish, New Jersey struggled to handle Carolina’s relentless forecheck, getting pinned in their own zone for much of the night.
Coach Sheldon Keefe was blunt postgame, calling his team “second best all night long.” The Devils’ puck management and composure under pressure will need a dramatic improvement, especially against another aggressive forechecking team in Tampa Bay.
New Jersey still boasts offensive firepower with Dougie Hamilton joining the rush and Cody Glass contributing early, but defensive lapses continue to undo their progress. If the Devils can settle down in the neutral zone and control tempo, they have the skill to push Tampa Bay to the edge.
Prediction: New Jersey will compete, but defensive miscues could again prove costly against Tampa Bay’s elite finishers.
NHL Prediction & Betting Angle
Tampa Bay has won six of the past eight meetings against New Jersey and thrives when bouncing back from losses. Expect the Lightning to refocus and protect home ice behind a sharper Andrei Vasilevskiy and a rejuvenated top line.
Score Prediction: Lightning 4, Devils 2
Pick: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+175)
Total: Under 6.5 Alt Lines (-135)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
