Golden Knights vs. Lightning Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Dec. 21

Nov 4, 2023; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) skates with the puck in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Vegas Golden Knights hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Vegas Golden Knights (21-7-5) are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (15-13-5) in a highly anticipated showdown at Amalie Arena. With both teams eager to secure a win before the holiday break, this matchup promises to be a clash of titans as the Golden Knights aim to maintain their conference lead, while the Lightning look to climb up the standings.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Info

Moneyline: Vegas Golden Knights -109 (BetRivers) / Tampa Bay Lightning -109 (BetRivers)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Vegas Golden Knights -275 (BetRivers) / Tampa Bay Lightning +215 (BetRivers)

Total: 6.5 – -114 (BetRivers) / -106 (BetRivers)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Dec. 21

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN+

Vegas Golden Knights Betting Trends

  • This season, the Vegas Golden Knights have hit 16 overs and 17 unders.
  • On the road this season, the Vegas Golden Knights have hit 9 overs and 7 unders.
  • As the underdog this season, the Vegas Golden Knights have hit 5 overs and 3 unders.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends

  • This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 17 overs and 16 unders.
  • At home this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 8 overs and 7 unders.
  • As the favorite this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 8 overs and 9 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the last three seasons, the Vegas Golden Knights and the Tampa Bay Lightning have faced off four times, with the Golden Knights emerging victorious in three of those encounters while the Lightning claimed one win. The visiting team has had the upper hand in these matchups, securing three wins compared to just one for the home side. When it comes to betting statistics, Vegas has outperformed expectations by covering the spread in three games, whereas Tampa Bay has done so only once. The total score has tended to be on the higher side, with the Over hitting three times and the Under only once. In terms of game stats, the Golden Knights have shown a consistent ability to win faceoffs, with a notable performance in Game ID 5348 where they won 29 faceoffs to Tampa Bay’s 25. The Lightning, on the other hand, have demonstrated strong hitting, particularly in Game ID 5550 where they recorded 39 hits. Both teams have had games with high penalty minutes, with Vegas accumulating 75 in Game ID 7300 and Tampa Bay recording 71 in the same game, indicating a tendency for physical and possibly contentious play.

The most recent game between the two teams, which took place on March 9, 2023, ended with a 4-3 victory for the Vegas Golden Knights over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The game was tightly contested, with the Golden Knights initially taking the lead before the Lightning fought back to tie the game, only for Vegas to clinch the win in overtime. The Golden Knights’ Keegan Kolesar opened the scoring just 27 seconds into the game, and notable contributions came from William Karlsson and Chandler Stephenson, who each added a goal. The Lightning’s Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov were key players, with Point scoring twice and Kucherov once. The Golden Knights’ goaltender, Jonathan Quick, faced a barrage of 37 shots, saving 34, while the Lightning’s Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 17 out of 21 shots. The game saw a high number of shifts, with Vegas taking 363 and Tampa Bay 351, and both teams had a significant number of shots on goal, with 21 for Vegas and 37 for Tampa Bay.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Predictions

The Vegas Golden Knights are coming into this game on the heels of a tough loss, but they’ve been one of the most consistent teams this season, leading their conference. With star center Jack Eichel (15 goals, 22 assists) at the forefront, Vegas boasts a potent offense that will test the Lightning’s defense. The Golden Knights’ ability to control the puck and their strong power play will be key factors in this game. However, they’ll need to bounce back defensively after a recent setback and will rely on their goaltending to keep them in the game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, despite a rocky start to the season, have shown signs of the form that took them deep into the playoffs last year. With the NHL points leader, right winger Nikita Kucherov (22 goals, 32 assists), leading the charge, the Lightning have the offensive firepower to challenge any team. Their recent performances have been a mix of high-scoring victories and concerning losses, highlighting the need for consistency, especially on home ice. The Lightning’s special teams play, particularly their penalty kill, could play a crucial role in this matchup.

This game features a compelling player matchup between the Golden Knights’ Eichel and the Lightning’s Kucherov, two of the league’s top scorers. Both teams have the offensive talent to turn the game into a high-scoring affair, but it will likely come down to which team can tighten up defensively and get the crucial stops. With Vegas looking to solidify their top spot and Tampa Bay aiming to gain ground in their division, expect an intense battle with playoff atmosphere intensity.

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick

Given the offensive prowess of both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Over on a total line of 6.5 seems like a promising bet. The Golden Knights have been consistently hitting the Over in recent games, with a perfect 5-0 in their last five games over/under. The Lightning, with their high-scoring ability led by Nikita Kucherov, have also trended towards high-scoring games, with the Over hitting in three of their last five games. Additionally, the historic head-to-head matchups between these two teams have seen the Over hit three times out of four, suggesting a pattern of offensive showdowns when these teams clash.

While both teams have had their defensive struggles, the potential for a high-scoring game is amplified by the star power on the ice. Eichel and Kucherov are both capable of multi-point performances, and with both teams’ power plays being a significant threat, there’s a strong chance we’ll see a number of goals on the board. Despite the recent goaltending concerns for Vegas, their offense has the depth to compensate, and Tampa Bay’s recent 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues indicates they are capable of lighting the lamp multiple times. Considering these factors, the Over is a compelling pick for this matchup.

The Pick: Over 6.5 -106 (BetRivers)

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Vegas Golden Knights

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Jack Eichel Points 0.5 10/10 -220 +170 1.6 1.20
Mark Stone Assists 0.5 7/10 +105 -135 1.0 0.96
Mark Stone Points 0.5 8/10 -166 +130 1.4 1.20
Jonathan Marchessault Shots On Goal 2.5 8/10 -150 +120 4.1 4.13
Jack Eichel Shots On Goal 3.5 7/10 -130 +100 4.5 4.47
Ivan Barbashev Points 0.5 7/10 +124 -160 1.0 1.01
Jack Eichel Assists 0.5 7/10 -105 -125 0.9 0.92

Tampa Bay Lightning

Player Name Prop Line Over Rate Over Odds Under Odds Last 10 Average Projection
Anthony Cirelli Shots On Goal 1.5 9/10 -150 +120 2.6 2.61
Nikita Kucherov Points 1.5 7/10 -105 -125 1.7 1.61
Nikita Kucherov Assists 0.5 7/10 -200 +154 1.0 0.94