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St. Louis (14-15-8) at Tampa Bay (19-13-3)
- When: Dec 22 2025, 7:00 PM
- Where: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL, USA
- TV: The Spot
St. Louis vs Tampa Bay NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Tampa Bay -235
Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+115)
Total: 5.5
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Breakdown
Tampa Bay reminded everyone Saturday night why they remain dangerous, even when things look bleak. Down three goals early and flirting with disaster, the Lightning completely changed the tone of the game, storming back to earn a 6-4 win over Carolina. That comeback snapped a frustrating home skid and injected life into a team that has been inconsistent at Amalie Arena.
The Lightning showed depth and resilience, getting an unexpected spark from their fourth line early in the second period that shifted momentum. Once Tampa Bay found its legs, the pressure never stopped. The offense came in waves, and the Hurricanes eventually cracked under sustained attacks.
Nikita Kucherov returned to the lineup after missing time and immediately made an impact by helping drive puck movement and scoring chances. While Tampa Bay is still missing an important energy forward, their core remains intact and capable of overwhelming opponents when the pace picks up.
This game closes a long homestand, and motivation should be high heading into the holiday break. Tampa Bay is listed as a strong moneyline favorite at -235, reflecting both home ice advantage and the belief that their offense can tilt the ice when needed.
St. Louis Blues Betting Breakdown
St. Louis arrives in Tampa playing confident hockey after a strong road performance in Florida. The Blues took advantage of a tired Panthers team and finished the job with authority, scoring four unanswered goals to pull away late.
The Blues have quietly steadied themselves over the past few weeks. While the Central Division remains crowded at the top, St. Louis has kept itself relevant by playing disciplined, opportunistic hockey. They do their best work when games turn physical and structured.
Offensively, the Blues have found chemistry across multiple lines, and recent additions have blended quickly into the lineup. The puck movement has been crisp, and the willingness to attack off the rush has created high-quality chances.
That said, St. Louis faces a much tougher task here. Tampa Bay thrives when games open up, and the Blues will need to stay sharp defensively to avoid falling behind early.
Betting Outlook and Prediction
The Lightning’s ability to generate sustained pressure and score in bunches gives them the clear edge, especially against a Blues team finishing a road trip. St. Louis should compete early, but Tampa Bay’s depth and home ice advantage are likely to show as the game progresses.
Score Prediction: Lightning 4, Blues 2
Pick: PICK_HERE -1.5 (+115)
Total: Over 5.5 (-122)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
