Edmonton (34-19-4) at Tampa Bay (32-20-4)
- When: Feb 25 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, USA
- TV: ESPN+/Hulu
Game Preview
Edmonton Favored at -112, Total Set at 6.5
The Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning enter Tuesday night’s showdown with postseason aspirations, but their recent trajectories couldn’t be more different. While Tampa Bay has won five straight games, Edmonton has hit a rough patch, dropping three in a row since returning from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
This game closes out the season series between these two teams, with Edmonton having taken the first meeting 2-1 back in December. However, with the Oilers struggling defensively and Tampa’s offense firing on all cylinders, bettors have plenty to consider before backing either side.
Edmonton Oilers: Struggling to Regain Their Pre-Break Form
Before the 4 Nations Face-Off break, Edmonton had been one of the hottest teams in the NHL, positioning themselves just behind Vegas for the top spot in the Pacific Division. However, since resuming play, things have fallen apart. The Oilers are on a three-game losing streak, matching their longest skid of the season, and their defensive issues have been fully exposed.
Edmonton was blown out in back-to-back games against Philadelphia and Washington, getting outscored 13-6 while allowing a combined 66 shots on goal. Even worse, their superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was outperformed by Alex Ovechkin, who recorded a hat trick in Washington’s 7-3 rout of Edmonton.
McDavid acknowledged that the team’s post-break struggles have been glaring, emphasizing the need to reset and get back to playing their game.
“Sometimes this happens after breaks. Some teams come out flying, some come out flat. We’ve obviously been the latter, so we have to get back to our game,” McDavid said.
The goaltending situation has also been a major concern. Calvin Pickard and Stuart Skinner have both struggled in net, with neither goalie able to provide much stability.
Pickard has given up eight goals on 52 shots in two losses
Skinner has allowed eight goals on 43 shots over two appearances
Now, Edmonton faces a high-scoring Tampa Bay team that has already tallied 200 goals this season, making this a tough spot to turn things around defensively.
Key Betting Trends for Edmonton:
The Over is 5-1 in Edmonton’s last six road games
The Oilers are 1-4 in their last five games as road favorites
Edmonton is just 1-3 in its last four games vs. Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning: Heating Up at the Right Time
The Lightning entered the post-break stretch with momentum, and despite showing early rust against Seattle on Sunday, they still managed to secure a 4-1 win over the Kraken. The victory marked their fifth straight win, extending their current point streak to 6-0-1.
Head coach Jon Cooper, fresh off leading Team Canada to victory in the 4 Nations Face-Off, emphasized how critical it was for his three returning Lightning players (Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and Anthony Cirelli) to get some recovery time before jumping back into NHL action.
“To come back here and there’s no rest for the weary. There was a bug going around the tournament, and Hagel picked it up. We weren’t even sure he was going to play,” Cooper said.
Not only did Hagel play, but he scored a crucial short-handed goal to break the scoreless tie against Seattle, marking his third short-handed goal of the season and Tampa Bay’s 10th overall, which ranks second in the NHL.
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has been dominant, and he is expected to get the start against Edmonton. Vasilevskiy has posted a 6-0-1 record in his last seven starts, sporting a 2.29 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
With Tampa Bay clicking in all areas, they enter this game as slight underdogs, which could present some strong value for bettors.
Key Betting Trends for Tampa Bay:
The Lightning are 5-0 in their last five games overall
Tampa Bay is 4-1 in its last five home games
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings between these teams
Game Prediction & Best Bets
This game is a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. Edmonton is struggling defensively and lacks stability in net, while Tampa Bay is playing its best hockey of the season with a red-hot goaltender.
Even though Edmonton took the first meeting between these teams, the current form of both squads heavily favors Tampa Bay. The Lightning’s home-ice advantage, strong goaltending, and high-powered offense give them a great chance to extend their win streak and complete the season series split.
Best Bets:
Tampa Bay Moneyline (-108) – The Lightning have been dominant at home and have the momentum advantage.
Under 6.5 Goals – With Vasilevskiy in net and Edmonton struggling offensively, this could be a lower-scoring game than expected.
Tampa Bay First Period ML (+110) – The Lightning should start strong against a struggling Oilers team.
Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 4, Edmonton 2
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
