The star talent on the ice for the Penguins vs. Lightning matchup is evident. Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are both past their prime, but the trio of longtime Penguins can still lead their team to victory on any given night. For the Tampa Bay Lightning, they find themselves in the midst of a very tight Atlantic Division race with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. The top seed in the Atlantic comes with a massive home-ice advantage in the postseason, and every game is crucial for Tampa Bay at this stage of the season. The Lightning have their own trio of future Hall of Famers, as Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman, and Andrei Vasilevskiy are poised to join the prestigious ranks when they retire. Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay have met in the playoffs before, and this showdown promises to add another exciting chapter to this Eastern Conference rivalry Tuesday night in Florida.
Matchup: Penguins vs Lightning Overview
- Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning
- Date: Tuesday, March 25th, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 7:00 PM EST
- Venue: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida
Win Probabilities:
The NHL win probabilities have been calculated using insights from recent NHL games, combined with expert NHL picks and predictions. The Tampa Bay Lightning are superior across the board and come into this matchup with extra motivation to win. As a result, the Lightning have a 70.12% chance to win according to the NHL win probabilities. On the other hand, Sidney Crosby has proven he can still lead a team to victory, and the Penguins have a 29.88% chance to prevail.
Projected Final Score:
The projected final score for this upcoming NHL game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins has been generated. The home team is expected to come out on top, with the projected final score being: Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Penguins vs Lightning Odds
The Penguins’ faint playoff hopes are quickly evaporating, making them sizable underdogs in the NHL odds for this matchup against the Lightning. Tampa Bay will look to exploit shaky goaltending from the Penguins, and it is surprising to see the Total Goals set at 6.5 in a game featuring the great Andrei Vasilevskiy. The under could prove to be an effective NHL prediction, and the Lightning will feel confident they can cruise to a win at home.
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Tampa Bay Lightning | |
| Moneyline | +195 | -290 |
| Puck Line | +1.5 (-125) | -1.5 (-112) |
| Total Goals | Over 6.5 Goals (+105) | Over 6.5 Goals (-143) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins Could Win
It is truly remarkable to see Sidney Crosby still performing at a high level at 37 years old. Crosby led Canada to a Four Nations championship but has been unable to carry his team into the postseason in Pittsburgh. He is well on his way to the Hall of Fame alongside Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, but that won’t be enough to secure a win for them in this NHL game against a Lightning squad with one of the best offensive arsenals in the league.
Pittsburgh has an identical 5-5 record to the Bolts over their last 10 games and will feel confident in defying the NHL odds on Tuesday night. They’ve scored multiple goals in nine straight games, while Vasilevskiy has allowed 3.2 goals per game in his last five matchups against the Penguins. Crosby and Malkin remain the backbone of this team, but the emergence of Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust has been a key factor. Not all hope has been lost for the Penguins, and they should never be underestimated when their future Hall of Famers are on the ice. The NHL odds are tempting for Pittsburgh and could be worth considering in your NHL predictions.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning Could Win
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been the far better team compared to the Penguins over the last several seasons. Their ability to play complete hockey on the full 200 feet of ice has led them to three Stanley Cup Finals appearances and two championships. They have gone just 5-5 in their last 10 games, but this is the type of matchup they cannot afford to lose as they chase down the Leafs and Panthers for the Atlantic division crown.
Andrei Vasilevskiy continues to stand on his head in goal, but the real leader of this team is the man powering their lethal offense, Nikita Kucherov. His 98 points are 21 more than the next closest skater in Tampa Bay, and his 68 assists are the second most in the NHL. He will look to attack the Pittsburgh defense from the opening puck drop and could eclipse 100 points with a big night against the Penguins. While the Lightning haven’t been too impressive recently, the Penguins have been far worse and have little to play for. The extra motivation for Tampa Bay, combined with a massive gap in quality in the crease, will allow them to pick up the win and probably cover the puck line for your NHL predictions.
How to Make Pittsburgh Penguins vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks
The best place to make your free NHL predictions for the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning game is on Sportzino. Sportzino is home to the best NHL odds and is the perfect destination for your Penguins vs. Lightning picks. You can make predictions on the moneyline, puck line, total, and player props for every NHL game this season. The fun doesn’t end there, as Sportzino also offers the best odds for all the major sports, including NBA, MLB, MLS, UFC, F1, and PGA Tour lines and odds.
