Lightning vs. Maple Leafs, Picks and Prediction, Monday, December 8, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Tampa Bay Lightning face the Toronto Maple Leafs with both teams on opposite ends of the standings this season. The Lightning have a 16-10-2 record and are in first place in the Atlantic Division but they’ve lost three games in a row. The Maple Leafs are 13-11-4 and an overtime loss in their latest game has them in sixth place in the Atlantic Division. Who will in this matchup? Check out our Lightning vs Maple Leafs prediction!
We have the best NHL Predictions sure to provide a great payout.
Tampa Bay has been great across the board
The Lightning have struggled on offense lately, with only four goals in the last three games, but the unit has otherwise been great, scoring 3.14 goals per game. Brandon Hagel and Jake Guentzel have 31 goals and 26 assists while Darren Raddysh and Victor Hedman have added three goals and 27 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has been the backbown all season, allowing only 2.61 goals per game, and it’s even stepped up in the latest skid, allowing only eight goals in the last four games. JJ Moser and Emil Martinsen Lilleberg have combined for 4.2 defensive point shares while Darren Raddysh and Victor Hedman have combined for 2.0 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. The hope is that Jonas Johansson steps up in the net as he’s struggled in recent starts, allowing five goals in the last two and 14 in the last five.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Key injury report for Lightning
- Nikita Kucherov is day-to-day. Has 12 goals and 22 assists.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy is day-to-day. Has three goals and five assists.
Maple Leafs have been let down by their defense
The Maple Leafs will need to lean on their offense if they look to make a push in the standings, as they are scoring 3.39 goals per game with 17 goals in the last four games. William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and John Tavares have scored 31 goals and 58 assists while defensemen Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have added eight goals and 33 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has stepped up but the defense has let them down, allowing 3.29 goals per game. Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson have combined for 3.0 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net at will. Moreover, the pileup of injuries in the end have the Maple Leafs turning to Dennis Hildeby, who has only started 10 games in his NHL career and has allowed 10 goals in four starts this season.
Key injury report for Maple Leafs
- Anthony Stolarz is on long-term injured reserve. He’s the starting goaltender for the Maple Leafs.
- Joseph Woll was placed on injured reserve. He’s the backup goaltender for the Maple Leafs.
Lightning vs Maple Leafs Pick
Money Line Pick For Lightning vs Maple Leafs
- Lightning (+105) (4 units)
The Lightning have struggled lately but they look to bounce back against the Maple Leafs team who are depleted by injuries. The Lightning should create plenty of scoring chances against the Maple Leafs, who allow 3.29 goals per game, with Brandon Hagel, Jake Guentzel, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Lightning, who have allowed only eight goals in the last four games, should limit the Maple Leafs offense with JJ Moser, Victor Hedman, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net to allow goaltender Jonas Johansson to make plenty of big saves. The Lightning should win the game with a strong performance on the road.
Take the Lightning money line as road Favorites.
Over/Under Pick For Lightning vs Maple Leafs
- Over 5.5 (5 Units)
Both teams have great offenses and with backup goaltenders in the net, this game looks to be high-scoring from the opening puck drop. The Maple Leafs, who have scored 17 goals in the last four games, should pile on the goals against Jonas Johansson, who has allowed five goals in his last two starts, with John Tavares, William Nylander, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone while creating open shots with quick passes. The Lightning, who average 3.14 goals per game, should run up the score against Dennis Hildeby, who has allowed 10 goals in four starts, with Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel, and the rest of the forward unit establishing a strong offensive zone presence while creating open shots with effective puck movement as Victor Hedman and Darren Raddysh fire shots on the net from the blue line. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
Take the Over on 5.5 goals.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
