Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 31, 2026
The Tampa Bay Lightning will travel to Nashville, Tennessee, Saturday afternoon for a matchup against the Nashville Predators inside Bridgestone Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 PM ET, with coverage available on ESPN+. Tampa Bay comes into Saturday at 8-3-1 overall after winning three of the last five, following a two-goal win against Winnipeg in their last outing to end a two-game losing streak. Nashville stays home Saturday at 4-4-5 overall, having lost four of the last five, including two in a row. Tampa Bay comes into Saturday as a -170 road favorite. Nashville is +142 on the money line, and the total is set at 6.5 goals. Follow along with our NHL Picks.
Tampa Bay hunts the road win
The Tampa Bay Lightning offense has been stout this season, averaging 3.67 goals on 30.4 shots per game, and they've scored 16 goals across their last three victories. Defensively, Tampa Bay has been up and down, allowing 3.17 goals on 24.3 shots per game. Brandon Hagel is leading the Tampa Bay offense this season with 16 points and eight goals. Nikita Kucherov is second on the roster with 15 points, and he leads the team with 11 assists. Jake Guentzel is third on the team with 13 points scored this season. Pontus Holmberg and Brayden Point are both tied for fourth on the roster with 10 points each.
Andrei Vasilevskiy did just enough in the net for Tampa Bay in their last outing, giving up four goals on 21 shots to post an .810 save percentage in 60 minutes. Pontus Holmberg led the way for the Tampa Bay offense with one goal and three assists. Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel both chipped in as well with one goal and one assist each. Brayden Point and Connor Geekie rounded out the scoring with one goal each.
Key Injury Report for Tampa Bay:
- Zemgus Girgensons (Out) – Oct 31
- Yanni Gourde (IR-NR) -Dec 2
Nashville tries to end their skid
Offensively, Nashville has been mediocre, scoring 2.85 goals on 25.7 shots per game this season. Defensively, Nashville has seen its issues, giving up 3.08 goals on 29.1 shots per game, and they've given up 17 goals across their last four losses. Steven Stamkos is leading the Nashville offense this season with 15 points, and he has boasted a team-high seven goals. Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg have both scored 15 points as well, while Josi leads the team with 14 assists. Ryan O’Reilly is second on the team with 14 points scored this season.
Juuse Saros struggled in the net for Nashville in their last outing, giving up four goals on 29 shots to post a .862 save percentage in just under 58 minutes. Filip Forsberg was the offensive leader for Nashville last time out with two goals on three shots in just under 22 minutes. Ross Colton chipped in as well with one goal on three shots.
Key Injury Report for Nashville:
- None
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Nashville Predators Picks and Prediction
Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -170
Tampa Bay has the offensive talent and experience necessary to cause problems for Nashville. Brayden Point gives Tampa Bay an offensive weapon capable of capitalizing on defensive mistakes and creating opportunities around the net. Nashville has enough talent to remain in the game, but the Predators have struggled to finish games this season. The Lightning should look to generate pressure in the offensive zone, force Nashville into turnovers, and capitalize on their opportunities. Tampa Bay has been the more consistent team this season, and its offensive depth should ultimately make the difference Saturday afternoon.
Pick: Over 6.5
Both teams have enough offensive ability to push this matchup over the total, especially if Tampa Bay can establish its attack early in the game. The Lightning have been scoring consistently this season, while Nashville has struggled defensively at times, creating opportunities for opposing teams to generate quality scoring chances. Point should be able to create problems for the Predators, particularly if Tampa Bay finds success on the power play. Nashville will also have opportunities offensively against a Lightning team that can allow scoring chances when opponents establish pressure. The Predators should look to create traffic around the net and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Expect both teams to find the back of the net multiple times as this matchup finishes over the total.