Islanders vs Lightning Prediction 12/2/25 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 2nd at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders are 13-10-3 this season after they lost to Washington by a score of 4-1 in their last game. New York cut the deficit to 2-1 in the third period, but allowed two goals in the last two minutes to seal the loss. The Islanders out shot Washington by a total of 31-18, won 58.7% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Horvat, while Sorokin stopped 14 out of 16 shots, which was an .875 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, New York lost to the Flyers by a score of 4-3 and the Bruins by a score of 3-1. The Islanders have lost three games in a row and they are currently sixth in the Metro standings with 29 points. New York has scored 2.88 goals per game and they have allowed 2.85 goals against per game, while also going 13.8% on the power play and 81.6% on the penalty kill this season. Bo Horvat has led New York with 15 goals and 11 assists, while Matthew Schaefer has added eight goals and 10 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Ilya Sorokin, who is 7-8-2 with a 2.67 goals against average and a .900 save percentage this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 16-7-2 this year after they defeated the Rangers by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay led 2-1 going into the third period and they added two more goals in the third for the nice road win. The Lightning out shot New York by a total of 35-13, won 35.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Guentzel, Hagel (2), and Paul, while Johansson stopped 12 out of 13 shots, which was a .923 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Red Wings by a score of 6-3 and the Flames by a score of 5-1. The Lightning have won seven games in a row and they are currently first in the Atlantic standings with 34 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.36 goals per game and they have allowed 2.60 goals against per game, while also going 16.9% on the power play and 88.8% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 11 goals and 21 assists, while Brandon Hagel has added 15 goals and 12 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 11-5-2 with a 2.32 goals against average and a .918 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last seven games.
• The Islanders have lost each of their last four home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last nine road games.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight home games.
• The Lightning have won the third period in seven of their last eight road games.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Islanders’ last six games against opponents on a winning streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Six of the Lightning’s last seven games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in five of the last six games between the Lightning and Islanders.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in eight of the Lightning’s last 10 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one point in each of his last seven appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in each of the Islanders’ last five games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances with the Islanders as home underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of the Lightning’s last 11 games against the Islanders.
• Brandon Hagel has scored the first goal in three of the Lightning’s last four games.
• Brandon Hagel has scored at least one goal in each of the Lightning’s last five games.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last seven games.

Islanders vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this matchup looking for their eighth straight win, as they continue to be one of the hottest teams in the NHL. The Lightning are 8-2-2 on the road this year, while the Islanders are 5-6-2 at home. New York has lost three games in a row and they have scored one goal or fewer in four of their last five. The Islanders are having a ton of trouble putting the puck in the net and will now face an elite TB defense. Take the Lightning to get a road win here.