{"id":133986,"date":"2022-12-10T07:00:22","date_gmt":"2022-12-10T12:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=133986"},"modified":"2022-12-10T03:29:12","modified_gmt":"2022-12-10T08:29:12","slug":"nhl-predictions-december-10-including-the-florida-panthers-vs-tampa-bay-lightning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/12\/10\/nhl-predictions-december-10-including-the-florida-panthers-vs-tampa-bay-lightning\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: December 10 Including The Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><span class=\"s1\">Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s featured game is the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Florida Panthers<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/lightning\/\" target=\"_self\">Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><br \/>\nNHL Predictions: Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Ottawa Senators vs Nashville Predators<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Senators 0-0 Predators<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/senators\/\" target=\"_self\">Ottawa Senators<\/a> continue their road trip as they head down to Music City to take on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/predators\/\" target=\"_self\">Nashville Predators<\/a>. Ottawa is coming off of a loss, whereas the Predators are coming off of a tough loss. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">This game has some serious fire punch up front. Ottawa has some of the most talents in the game with captain <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tkachbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brady Tkachuk<\/a> leading the charge. The team has five forwards with 20+ points. The offensive charge for Nashville isn&#8217;t as stout as it was last year. Paving the way is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/forsbfi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Filip Forsberg<\/a>, as he is always a treat to watch. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The biggest kicker is in goal. That category goes to Nashville and it&#8217;s not close. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sarosju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Juuse Saros<\/a> is starting to round into form. He is 3-1-1 in his last five games and has a<a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/goalies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> 2.4 gsax.<\/a> His counterpart <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lankike01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Lankinen<\/a> has been just as successful, posting a 1.95 GAA in his last four starts. Ottawa is in the middle of the pack in goaltending. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Predators defeat Senators 3-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Detroit Red Wings vs Dallas Stars<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Red Wings 0-0 Stars<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonight&#8217;s matchup on the NHL Predictions has the making of being a good game. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/stars\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Stars<\/a> host the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/redwings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. Entering play tonight, Dallas is tied with Winnipeg for the Central Division crown, whereas the Red Wings hold a playoff spot in a competitive Atlantic Division. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The forward groups are talented on both sides. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/roberja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Robertson<\/a> is having an MVP calibre campaign, and his counterpart in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hintzro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roope Hintz<\/a> is right behind him. What&#8217;s awesome to see is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kubaldo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dominik Kubalik<\/a>. Last season he had a total of 32 points, whereas this year he has 25. He leads the team in goals and is second in points behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/larkidy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dylan Larkin<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Dallas is the second-highest-scoring team in all situations, and that offence could be hard to contain. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Prediction: Stars defeat Red Wings 5-2<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Florida Panthers vs Tampa Bay Lightning<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Head to Head: Panthers 0-0 Lightning<\/span><\/h4>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Tonight&#8217;s featured matchup is The Battle Of Florida. The Florida Panthers head down the freeway to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams are separated by three points and every point matters in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There is so much highlight-reel talent in this game, on top of the rivalry set in place. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/t\/tkachma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Matthew Tkachuk<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/barkoal01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aleksander Barkov<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stamkst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Steven Stamkos<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kucheni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Kucherov<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/pointbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brayden Point<\/a> highlight an impressive forward group. On the back end, it&#8217;s stout with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hedmavi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Victor Hedman<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/e\/ekblaaa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Aaron Ekblad<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Aside from the talent and depth up and down each other&#8217;s lineup, the real battle comes in the crease. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vasilan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrei Vasilevskiy<\/a> is a world-class goaltender. Even though his numbers appear down from last season, it&#8217;s still Vasilevskiy. His 6.3 gsax <a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/goalies.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ranks 10th<\/a> among all goalies. For the Panthers it&#8217;s not <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bobrose01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a> to worry about, it&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/knighsp01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spencer Knight<\/a>. He has been very good and playing better than Bobrovsky. Knight has a 2.64 GAA, and a .919 save percentage. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Florida is one of the best-scoring teams at even strength. But the kicker will be with the man advantage. Tampa Bay has the fourth-best power play and <a href=\"https:\/\/moneypuck.com\/teams.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has scored<\/a> 23 goals with the man advantage. Florida&#8217;s penalty kill is middle of the pack and the goal should be to stay out of the box. Tampa Bay has the edge with goaltending. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><em><span class=\"s1\">Predictions: Lightning defeat Panthers 5-3<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"z_leYie4RWNUIhqiwG64kw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1318382449\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'z_leYie4RWNUIhqiwG64kw',sig:'xQYTEbX49uq8vIfQ5y1Oq4Qa7i2KQw0Qjy_9MkNQKHk=',w:'594px',h:'400px',items:'1318382449',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welcome back to another day of NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are happening and gives our predictions for each one, breaking down head-to-head and other factors that may play in. We also have a featured game of the day, which is considered must-watch TV. Today\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4194,"featured_media":133997,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6,4547,4548,4524,9],"tags":[6255,42,6391],"class_list":["post-133986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-panthers","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-nhl-predictions","category-lightning","tag-florida-panthers-predictions","tag-tampa-bay-lightning","tag-tampa-bay-lightning-predictions"],"modified_by":"Taylor Newby, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133986","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4194"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133986\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133997"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133986"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133986"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133986"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}