Toronto Maple Leafs vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction 12/8/25 NHL Picks Today

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs meet Monday in NHL action from the Scotiabank Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs prediction.

Tampa Bay Lightning Recap

The Tampa Bay Lightning come into this game looking to bounce back from their 2-0 loss at the hands of the New York Islanders last time out to sit at 16-10-2 this season. After this game, Tampa Bay will head on the road for a game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Lightning Drop 3 In A Row

Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 34 points including 12 goals and 22 assists while Brandon Hagel has 29 points with 17 goals and 12 assists and Jake Guentzel has 28 points with 14 goals and 14 assists. Victor Hedman has 12 assists and Anthony Cirelli has 17 points with 9 goals and 8 assists. Darren Raddysh has also added 18 points with 3 goals and 15 assists as well on the year. Andrei Vasilevskiy has gone 11-6-2 with a 2.31 GAA and a .917 save percentage while Jonas Johansson is 5-4 with a 2.85 GAA and an .896 save percentage this season.

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Scotiabank Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Ten of the Lightning’s last 12 games against the Maple Leafs following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nick Paul has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against the Maple Leafs.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances against the Maple Leafs.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of his last seven appearances against the Maple Leafs.
• Brandon Hagel ranks T2nd in the league for multi-goal games (5) this season.

Toronto Maple Leafs Recap

The Toronto Maple Leafs come into this game looking to rebound from a 2-1 shootout loss at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens last time out to sit at 13-11-4 this season. After this game, Toronto will take on the San Jose Sharks at home.

Maple Leafs Have Three-Game Win Streak Snapped

William Nylander leads the Maple Leafs with 32 points on 11 goals and a team-high 21 assists while John Tavares has 29 points with a team-high 13 goals and 16 assists and Matthew Knies has 28 points with 7 goals and 21 assists. Auston Matthews has 19 points with 11 goals and 8 assists and Morgan Rielly has 21 points with 17 assists. Oliver Ekman-Larsson has 20 points with 16 assists. Anthony Stolarz has gone 6-5-1 with a 3.51 GAA and an .884 save percentage in goal for the Maple Leafs while Joseph Woll is 4-3-1 with a 2.44 GAA and a .928 save percentage. Dennis Hildeby is also 1-2-2 with a 2.51 GAA and a .927 save percentage this season. 

Why the Toronto Maple Leafs will win

• The Maple Leafs have won each of their last four games against the Lightning.
• The Lightning have lost six of their last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Maple Leafs have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against the Lightning.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven night games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Toronto Maple Leafs Player Prop Facts

• Morgan Rielly has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances against the Lightning.
• Auston Matthews has scored at least one goal in each of the Maple Leafs’ last five home games against the Lightning.
• Auston Matthews has recorded at least one point in each of the Maple Leafs’ last 16 home games against the Lightning.
• Scott Laughton has scored a goal in each of his last three appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Maple Leafs’ last eight night games against Atlantic Division opponents at Scotiabank Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Ten of the Lightning’s last 12 games against the Maple Leafs following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Three of the last four games between teams from the same division have gone UNDER the total goals line.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction

I’m on the Maple Leafs in this one. I get the case to be made for the Lightning as Tampa Bay’s been hot, but this next stretch of hockey is really important for Toronto to get back on track as they’ve been really inconsistent out of the gate and this feels like a prime opportunity for a confidence-boosting win against a Lightning team that’s in a funk right now. Toronto’s been at their best at home and I think they pick up a big win over the Lightning here. Give me Toronto.