NHL: Islanders vs. Lightning Picks and Odds, December 6, 2025

We’re heading to Florida tonight for a solid matchup. The New York Islanders will be taking on the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is the second time they’re facing off this season, and the Islanders won the first game by a score of 2-1.

Tampa Bay is 16-9-2 this season and are first in the Atlantic division. They come into this game on a two-game losing streak after dropping Thursday’s game to the Penguins. The Lightning are 7-3-0 in their last ten games and are 8-6-0 at home.

The offense on this team is precise. Even without center Brayden Point, the offense has been buzzing. They rank in the top ten of the league for goals scored per game and shooting percent. Ranking nineteenth in shots on goal is ok when you shoot as well as them.

Defensively, the Lightning are really good. They rank sixth best in goals allowed and are the best team in the league on the penalty kill. It’s important because they’re sloppy, committing almost six penalties a game.

Goalie Jonas Johansson is confirmed to start. He is 5-3-0 this year with a 3.06 GAA and a .892 save percentage. This will be the first time he faces the Islanders this season.

Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.

New York will try and make it three wins in a row tonight

New York Islanders center Bo Horvat celebrates after scoring a goal during a game vs. the Lightning.

The Islanders are 15-10-3 this year and are fifth in a tight Metro Division. They come into this game on two-game winning streak after a big win over the Avalanche on Thursday. New York is 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and 8-4-1 on the road.

Last game was huge for them. To be able to score six goals and hand the best team in the league their second regulation loss of the season was a statement. The boys were absolutely buzzing, putting up forty-two shots on goal. Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal led the way with a goal each and six and four shots respectively.

It’s been a little back and forth for the Islanders offense. They rank eighteenth in goals scored, but sixth in shots on goal per game. New York continues to be one of the worst teams on the power play in the league.

Defensively, they’ve been pretty decent. Ranking ninth in goals allowed and thirteenth in shots on goal allowed per game isn’t bad for this team. They were once a defense first team years ago, but that needed to change and has.

In net, we’re expected to see Ilya Sorokin. He is 9-8-2 this season with a 2.60 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Sorokin looked good last game vs. the Lightning, so we’ll be looking for more of the same. Let’s check out the odds and get into the Islanders vs. Lightning picks.

New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Odds and Game Information

Islanders vs. Lightning Betting Odds – December 6

Puck Line

New York Islanders +1.5 (-190)
Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (+160)

Moneyline

New York Islanders +125
Tampa Bay Lightning -145

Totals

Over 6.5 (+115)
Under 6.5 (-135)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Islanders vs. Lightning Game Information

Venue: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
Puck Drop: 7 p.m. EST
TV: The Spot, MSGSN

New York Islanders vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Prediction

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel celebrates with center Anthony Cirelli and winger Nikita Kucherov after he scored a goal.

Islanders vs. Lightning Picks and Predictions: Game Total Under 6.5 Games (-135) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

Both teams know each other pretty well and I think we see a tight game again. They have gone under the total in three of their last four matches and Sorokin looked good in that last game. Joansson should be able to defend well vs. the Isles to get that under.

The Islanders just putting up six goals makes me feel like they have a dud coming. They tend to blow their load in a game and then come back down to Earth the following game. I could also see the Lightning clamping the Islanders offense a bit.

Give me Mat Barzal for 3 or more shots on goal for -106. He hit in the last game this year vs. the Lightning and is coming off a game with two goals and assist on four shots on goal. The kid is buzzing, and he and Horvat have great chemistry.

I like Ilya Sorokin to get 25 or more saves for -110. It’s great value when he just had 30 saves on 31 shots a few days ago. Sorokin has come around since a weak start to the season and will definitely see 30+ tonight.