Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights Picks and Predictions for Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tuesday's game in Las Vegas brings together two teams that have lost only twice this season. The Golden Knights will host Tampa Bay at T-Mobile Arena, with the puck dropping at 10:30 pm ET on ESPN. Vegas is 8-2-0 and holds first place in the Pacific Division after a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Lightning are second in the Atlantic at 6-2-0, coming off a 4-2 victory against Vancouver. Both teams have been playing well lately. Vegas has won three straight, while Tampa Bay has been a winner in four of its past five games. Find your next winner with our free NHL picks.

Tampa Bay Lightning Getting Plenty of Shots

Tampa Bay's only loss in its past five games came against the Rangers, who beat the Lightning 4-1 in New York. Since then, they've returned home for two victories, getting past Seattle 4-3 in overtime before beating Vancouver 4-2 on Saturday. Earlier in the month, Tampa Bay also put five goals past the Islanders. The Lightning have been spending plenty of time around the opposing net, averaging 30.9 shots per game. Meanwhile, they're allowing opponents just 23.0 shots a night. Tampa Bay has scored 25 goals through eight games and conceded 21. The power play hasn't contributed much, though, producing only three goals.

Brandon Hagel has already taken 38 shots this season, more than anyone else on Tampa Bay's roster. Six have found the net, and he's added five assists for 11 points. Nikita Kucherov is right behind with 10 points, while Jake Guentzel has nine. Brayden Point has one goal and five assists. Andrei Vasilevskiy has started six games, winning four and losing two. He's allowing 2.53 goals per outing and has stopped 88.6% of the shots he's faced. Dennis Hildeby has been better in his two appearances, winning both while recording a .920 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average.

Injuries: Yanni Gourde is on injured reserve.

Vegas Golden Knights Finding Plenty of Goals

Vegas is coming off a stretch that most teams would happily take. The Golden Knights scored five at Nashville and followed that with consecutive 6-2 wins over Calgary and Pittsburgh. Their only loss in the last five came against Minnesota, which beat them 4-2. Vegas averages 4.10 goals per night, well ahead of Tampa Bay's 3.13. The Golden Knights are also allowing just 2.40 goals on 25.4 shots. Perhaps the biggest difference is with the extra skater: Vegas has scored on 27.8% of power plays and already has 10 power-play goals.

Jack Eichel is driving much of that offense. He has five goals and 13 assists for 18 points in 10 games. Mark Stone has seven goals and seven assists, while Mitch Marner has collected 11 points. Tomas Hertl has four goals, three of them on the power play. Vegas also has two goalies winning games. Carter Hart is 4-2-0 with a .911 save percentage and 2.35 goals-against average. Adin Hill is unbeaten at 4-0-0, with a .906 save percentage and 2.21 GAA. That gives Vegas plenty to work with at both ends.

Injuries: Parker Wotherspoon is out. Lukas Cormier is on injured reserve.

Key To The Game

Tampa Bay takes more shots and allows fewer, but Vegas makes its chances count. The Golden Knights' power play is also a concern for a Lightning penalty kill sitting at 75.0%. Staying out of the penalty box will matter.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights Pick

• Vegas Golden Knights

Tampa Bay has won four of five, but Vegas has been sharper in its last three games, scoring 17 goals and allowing six. Eichel and Stone are producing at a high level, and both Golden Knights goalies have winning records. The Lightning defend well, yet their penalty kill has been vulnerable. Vegas can turn that weakness into goals. The Golden Knights will win at home and extend their winning streak.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Vegas Golden Knights Over/Under Pick

• Over

Vegas has scored at least five goals in each of its last three games, while Tampa Bay has reached four goals in three of its past five. The Golden Knights average 4.10 goals, and the Lightning have enough scoring from Hagel, Kucherov and Guentzel to contribute. Both clubs also have penalty-killing issues, giving their power plays opportunities. Expect chances at both ends. This game will finish over the total Tuesday night.