Predators vs Lightning Preview: Special Teams Hook – Our NHL Tips

Sunday morning brings a massive cross-conference NHL matchup as the Nashville Predators defend home ice against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena on Sun 1 Nov, 5:00 am AEDT. When putting together our nhl predictions, the special teams split immediately jumps off the page.

Nashville's power play is operating at a 31.71% clip while their penalty kill sits at an impressive 87.5%. That gives the home side a huge tactical edge against a Tampa Bay squad hovering at a 15% power play conversion rate and a 76.67% penalty kill.

Head-to-head: Can the Predators cash as home outsiders?

The numbers say Nashville are producing plenty of offense on home ice. Over their last three games at Bridgestone Arena, the Predators are averaging 4.7 goals for and 2.7 goals against. They are coming off a narrow 3–4 loss at home against the New York Islanders on Wed, 28 Oct, but earlier home efforts delivered dominant 6–2 and 5–2 victories. Steven Stamkos (7G, 8A), Ryan O'Reilly (7G, 6A), and Filip Forsberg (3G, 10A) continue to pace the attack.

Tampa Bay hold a 7–3–1 overall record with 15 points, placing them ahead of Nashville's 4–3–5 record (13 points). However, the Lightning also suffered a defeat in their most recent start, falling 4–5 away to the Utah Mammoth on Sun, 25 Oct. While Tampa Bay boast superior shot share metrics with a 55.7% Corsi rating and produce 3.45 goals per game overall behind Nikita Kucherov (4G, 10A), Brandon Hagel (7G, 6A), and Jake Guentzel (7G, 5A), their 0.874 team save percentage leaves opportunities for opponents.

In the head-to-head market, Tampa Bay sit as 1.70 favourites, with Nashville priced at 2.15. Given Nashville's heavy advantage on special teams and sharp scoring output across recent home fixtures, the Predators rate a real chance on home ice.