Predators Edge Lightning in Shootout Thriller

What we said beforehand

The Nashville Predators will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning on October 31, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena. This matchup is particularly interesting as it marks the beginning of their series for the season, with both teams having contrasting recent performances. The Predators enter the game with a home record of 4-4-5, while the Lightning boast a stronger away record of 8-3-1.

Nashville's recent form has been challenging, as they have lost four of their last five games. Their most recent outing saw them fall to the Washington Capitals with a score of 4-3 on October 30. Prior to that, they lost to the New York Islanders in a shootout, 4-3, and faced a 6-0 defeat against the Boston Bruins. The lone win in their last five came against the Colorado Avalanche, where they secured a convincing 6-2 victory. Over their last ten games, the Predators have struggled, posting a record of 3-7, averaging 3.0 goals scored per game while allowing 3.4.

In contrast, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been performing well, winning four of their last five games. Their latest victory came against the Winnipeg Jets, where they triumphed 6-4. However, they did suffer back-to-back losses to the Colorado Avalanche and the Utah Mammoth prior to that. Overall, the Lightning's record over their last ten games stands at 7-3, with an impressive scoring average of 4.0 goals per game, although they have allowed an average of 3.2 goals as well.

When it comes to home and away performances, the Predators have a home record of 2-4 in their last ten games, while the Lightning have excelled with a home record of 5-0 and an away record of 2-3. This suggests that Nashville will need to leverage their home-ice advantage to break their losing streak.

Historically, the Predators have struggled against the Lightning, losing both of their previous meetings this season. In their last encounter on March 29, 2026, Nashville lost 3-2, and earlier in the season, they fell 5-2 at home on October 28, 2025. This trend will weigh heavily on the Predators as they look to turn the tide in this matchup.

In terms of injuries, the Lightning will be without Erik Cernak and Zemgus Girgensons due to undisclosed and lower body injuries, respectively. Additionally, Yanni Gourde is on injured reserve with a hip injury. The absence of these players could impact Tampa Bay's lineup and overall performance.

The betting market reflects the Lightning's current form, with DraftKings pricing them at -180 on the moneyline, while the Predators are set at +150. The spread is 1.5, with the total set at 6.5, indicating expectations for a potentially high-scoring game.

As the game approaches, viewers should keep an eye on the performance of key players. For the Predators, Steven Stamkos leads the team with 7 goals and 15 points, while Roman Josi has contributed 14 assists. On the Lightning side, Brandon Hagel leads with 8 goals and 16 points, and Nikita Kucherov has provided 11 assists. The matchup between these top players could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the game.

Overall, this fixture promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with differing trajectories this season. The Predators will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and break their losing streak, while the Lightning will look to continue their strong form and build on their recent successes.