Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 12/20/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Carolina Hurricanes vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Hurricanes (-160) Lightning (+132)

The Carolina Hurricanes (22-9-2) are on their way to Amalie Arena on Saturday where they will compete against the Tampa Bay Lightning (18-12-3). The odds on this game have the Hurricanes at -160 while the Lightning are at +132. The total is 6.5.

The Carolina Hurricanes were on the right side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 victory over the Predators their last time out. The Hurricanes had a solid offensive outing in the win. In the game, they were able to notch a goal on 4 of the 37 shots they tried. They also had 4 chances with the advantage and were able to notch 1 goal. Carolina garnered 6 mins in the box in this game.

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In regard to their goal scoring prowess, the Carolina Hurricanes have earned 108 goals (7th in the league) this season and have allowed 90. For the season, they have earned 46 points and their points percentage comes in at .697. Carolina has compiled 103 power play chances and they have scored 16 goals out of those advantages, giving them a rate of 15.53%. While playing at even strength, the Hurricanes have allowed the opponent to score 72 goals while notching 92 on offense. Carolina has attempted 1,094 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.9%. The Hurricanes have seen 800 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .888. Carolina Hurricanes opponents have totaled 92 power play opportunities (25th in the league) and have come away with 18 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the goal in this game is Brandon Bussi. Throughout his time in hockey, Bussi has 8 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .667. He has a save percentage of .911 during his 31 mins between the pipes. Bussi has seen 281 shot attempts against him and has gathered 256 total saves. The opposition has notched 25 goals against Bussi in his professional career and his goals against average is 2.08. He has accumulated a win-loss mark of 11-1-0 and he has started in 12 games. Bussi has taken the ice for 12 games over the course of his professional hockey career.

In their last game, Tampa Bay went up against the Panthers in a game where the Lightning took the defeat by a mark of 5-2. They had 5 power play opportunities in this game but weren't able to finish one of them with a goal. The Lightning notched 2 goals of the 28 shots on goal they pursued.

On the year, the Tampa Bay Lightning have tallied 106 goals, 39 points, and a points percentage of .591. They have allowed 87 goals to be scored by way of 71 goals at even strength and 16 goals while they were shorthanded. The Lightning are sitting with 88 goals at even strength and 18 goals (21st in the league) while on the power play. They have recorded 104 power play chances and they have a power play percentage of 17.31%. Tampa Bay has put up 919 shots (16th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 11.53%, while allowing their opponents 892 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 85.05% on their oppositions 107 opportunities on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 90.2%.

On the other side of the ice you will find Andrei Vasilevskiy protecting the goal. He has recorded 15,238 saves out of 16,616 shots attempted against him, which gives him a rate of .917. Vasilevskiy has compiled a career mark of 342-169-37 and has been in goal for 559 games. He has made the start in 549 games and has been on the ice for 28,667 mins. Vasilevskiy's quality start rate is 58.3% and he has 320 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. Opponents are averaging 2.51 goals per contest and he has given up 1,378 goals altogether.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (+132)

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