Get ready for a thrilling matchup as the Tampa Bay Lightning gear up to face the New Jersey Devils, fresh off a dominating 6-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens—thanks in part to Darren Raddysh’s stunning two-goal performance. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can the Lightning keep their momentum going, or will the Devils bounce back after a recent slump? Let’s dive in.
On Thursday, December 10, 2025, at 7 p.m. EST in Newark, New Jersey, these two powerhouse teams will clash for the third time this season. The Lightning, sitting at 17-11-2 in the Atlantic Division, boast a solid 9-4-2 road record, while the Devils, 17-12-1 in the Metropolitan Division, hold a strong 9-4-1 home record. And this is the part most people miss: Despite the Devils’ overall success, they’ve struggled with a -6 goal differential, scoring 86 goals while allowing 92. Meanwhile, the Lightning have thrived in games where they score on the power play, going 7-2-1 in those matchups.
In their last meeting, the Lightning handed the Devils a decisive 5-1 loss, with Jake Guentzel stealing the show by scoring a hat-trick. Here’s the kicker: While the Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov leads the team with 13 goals and 23 assists, the Devils’ Jesper Bratt has been a force to reckon with, tallying five goals and 22 assists. Nico Hischier has also been on fire, contributing six goals and seven assists in the last 10 games. But don’t sleep on Tampa Bay’s Brandon Hagel, who’s been red-hot with 10 goals and four assists in the same span.
Looking at recent performances, the Devils have gone 4-6-0 in their last 10 games, averaging 2.6 goals per game while giving up 3.2. The Lightning, on the other hand, are 6-4-0 in their last 10, averaging 3.3 goals and conceding just 1.7. Bold prediction: This game could hinge on special teams—if the Lightning capitalize on power plays, they might just seal another win.
Both teams are reportedly healthy, with no injuries listed for either side. So, who do you think will come out on top? Is this the Devils’ chance to even the score, or will the Lightning continue their dominance? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your take!
This story was crafted using technology from Data Skrive and data provided by Sportradar, ensuring you get the most accurate and up-to-date insights.
