Tampa Bay (40-24-5) at Vegas (41-20-8)
- When: Mar 23 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- TV: FDSSUN
NHL Betting Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vegas Golden Knights
Moneyline: Vegas -120
Total Goals: 6.0
Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook
Tampa Bay enters this game riding a wave of inconsistency. The Lightning recently followed up a gritty 3-2 shootout win in Dallas with a disappointing 6-4 loss to the Utah Hockey Club — a game where they had a prime opportunity to gain ground in the Atlantic Division. Head coach Jon Cooper summed it up best: “We’re like a yo-yo right now.”
The offense remains potent, averaging 3.49 goals per game, led by Nikita Kucherov’s 96-point campaign and Brandon Hagel’s balanced 32-goal, 44-assist production. Andrei Vasilevskiy, likely to return between the pipes, owns a strong .920 save percentage and 2.23 GAA. His presence gives Tampa a chance in every game, but the defensive effort in front of him will be key, especially against a Vegas squad that thrives at home.
Vegas Golden Knights Outlook
The Golden Knights continue to dominate at T-Mobile Arena, winning seven of their last eight home games and ranking among the Western Conference leaders in home victories. Vegas comes off an impressive 6-3 win over Detroit, marking their third straight home game where a player recorded a hat trick — this time courtesy of Tomas Hertl.
Vegas has been clicking offensively, averaging 3.32 goals per game. Jack Eichel is leading the way with 86 points on the season, while goaltending has remained steady enough to support the attack. The Knights are deep, confident, and well-rested, with an 18-3-2 record in their last 23 home games.
Betting Analysis & Prediction
The total sitting at 6.0 suggests oddsmakers anticipate scoring opportunities, and for good reason. Both teams have explosive forward groups, and each defense has shown recent vulnerabilities. While Tampa Bay’s firepower is dangerous, their inconsistent form, particularly away from home, raises concerns.
Vegas, on the other hand, is firing on all cylinders at home and should be able to exploit Tampa’s defensive lapses, especially if they dictate pace and get traffic in front of Vasilevskiy.
Prediction: Vegas wins a high-scoring battle on home ice.
Best Bets:
Moneyline: Vegas Golden Knights (-120)
Total: Over 6.0 (-115)
Expect the Golden Knights to feed off the home crowd and outgun the Lightning in what should be an entertaining, back-and-forth affair.
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
