Tampa Bay Lightning vs Boston Bruins March 8th 2025

Betting on today’s Bruins and Lightning game? Catch the action at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, as the Lightning hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ABC. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Lightning are favored by -1.5 vs. the Bruins.

Unlock 3,000 picks for only $9

Boston vs. Tampa Bay Key Information

• Teams: Bruins at Lightning
• Where: Amalie Arena Tampa
• Date: Saturday, March 8th
• Betting Odds TB -289 | BOS +235 O/U 6

The Bruins Can Win If…

With a 2-0 win over the Kraken, the Bruins are now 28-28-8. Boston covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 2 fell well short.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period. Justin Brazeau scored at 3:23, and Charlie Coyle added another at 9:57. The Bruins’ defense held Seattle scoreless, with Jeremy Swayman stopping all 23 shots he faced.

Boston’s offense struck early in their 2-0 win over Seattle, with both goals coming in the first period. Justin Brazeau netted his 5th goal of the season, while Charlie Coyle added his 2nd, scoring on a power play.

The Bruins fired 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless after the first period. They recorded 16 giveaways and picked up 4 assists on their two goals.

Boston’s defense was outstanding in their previous game, shutting out the Kraken in a 2-0 victory. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, while the Bruins’ defense added 5 takeaways and 15 hits.

• The Bruins have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. Against the spread, they have a strong mark of 2-1 along with an over-under record of 1-2.
• Boston has put together a record of 2-8 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 8-2 and an over-under mark of 3-7.

The Lightning Can Win If…

The Lightning fell to 37-21-4 after a 7-4 road loss to the Jets. Tampa Bay, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined 11 goals easily surpassed that mark.

Tampa Bay once led 2-0, but the Jets scored seven of the next nine goals. Four different Lightning players found the net in the loss.

Tampa Bay’s offense managed 4 goals on 30 shots in their 7-4 loss to Winnipeg. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, netting a power-play goal in the first period. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov scored his 10th, unassisted, in the third period.

The Lightning had 8 giveaways and recorded 4 assists. Jake Guentzel picked up his 8th assist, and Nick Paul added his 7th on Chaffee’s second-period goal. Kucherov’s 10th goal came after his 10th assist on Point’s power-play goal.

Defensively, the Lightning struggled late, giving up four goals in the 3rd period, including two empty-netters, leading to a 7-4 loss. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage, while the defense added 6 takeaways and 16 hits.

• Over their last three games, the Lightning have gone 2-1 straight up. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 2-1 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Lightning have gone 9-1 straight up. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 9-1, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

To those searching for a pure moneyline wager, the Lightning is the clear pick. Still, with a payout of -289, it’s worth thinking about including this bet in a parlay.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Bruins to cover. Even if the Lightning secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Bruins should cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Stunning Marchand Trade Shakes Bruins as They Face Tampa Bay

The Boston Bruins suffered a devastating blow both on and off the ice in the span of 24 hours. After dropping their third straight game Thursday night, their dwindling postseason hopes took another hit on Friday when General Manager Don Sweeney made a blockbuster trade, sending longtime captain Brad Marchand to one of Boston’s fiercest rivals—the Florida Panthers.

As the Bruins prepare to take on the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, the trade deadline deals signal a shift in the team’s direction, leaving fans wondering whether Boston is giving up on this season.

Marchand to Florida: A Trade That Shook Boston

The most shocking move of the NHL trade deadline was the Bruins dealing Brad Marchand, their heart and soul, to the Florida Panthers. The 36-year-old winger, who has spent his entire career in Boston, was sent south in exchange for a conditional second-round pick, which could become a first-rounder in 2027 or 2028 if Florida reaches the conference finals and Marchand plays in at least 50% of the games.

Additionally, Boston retained 50% of Marchand’s remaining salary, making the trade even more surprising.

Marchand’s Legacy in Boston

Marchand was instrumental in Boston’s Stanley Cup victory in 2011 and played a key role in three Presidents’ Trophy-winning teams (2014, 2020, 2023). This season, he has 21 goals and 47 points in 61 games and was set to hit free agency this summer.

Sweeney expressed his appreciation for Marchand but pointed to a contract dispute as a key reason for the move:

“I love Brad. We’ve been trying to sign him all year long. We had a gap there. I respect where he believes his market value is. I hope he respects our position because he’s beloved here. I would never close the door.”

A Rivalry Intensified

Adding to the emotional weight of the trade is the bitter history between the Bruins and Panthers. Florida has eliminated Boston in the playoffs in back-to-back years, with last season’s series turning especially nasty. Marchand himself was knocked out by Florida forward Sam Bennett, who is now—ironically—his teammate.

Other Bruins Deadline Moves: The Future or a Fire Sale?

Marchand wasn’t the only Bruin shipped out on Friday. Sweeney made multiple moves, reinforcing the idea that Boston is in transition rather than a win-now mode.

Key Trades:

• Charlie Coyle to Colorado for Casey Mittelstadt, a 2024 third-round pick, and a second-round pick. Mittelstadt, 25, brings youth and offensive skill to Boston’s struggling center position.
• Brandon Carlo to Toronto in exchange for a package of future assets.
• Henri Jokiharju acquired from Buffalo, adding depth to Boston’s blue line.

While some fans see these moves as a strategic retooling, others believe they signal Boston waving the white flag on the season.

Bruins’ On-Ice Struggles Continue

Boston’s front office decisions come amid a brutal stretch on the ice. Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes was a gut punch, as a costly mistake by defenseman Nikita Zadorov led to a late game-winning goal by Seth Jarvis.

The loss extended Boston’s skid to 1-6-2 since February 5, raising doubts about whether this team can even secure a playoff spot.

The challenge doesn’t get any easier as they now face Tampa Bay, a team riding a hot streak at home.

Lightning Look to Extend Dominance at Home

While the Bruins are reeling, the Tampa Bay Lightning are surging, having won 11 of their last 13 games (11-1-1).

Key Storylines for Tampa Bay:

• Victor Hedman’s Injury: The Lightning’s captain and top defenseman left their last game against Buffalo after just three shifts due to an apparent left leg injury. His availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
• Oliver Bjorkstrand’s Impact: Newly acquired Bjorkstrand scored the tiebreaking goal in Tampa’s 6-5 win over Buffalo, showing immediate value.
• Jake Guentzel’s Hat Trick: The star forward hit the 30-goal mark for the fifth time in his career with a hat trick against Buffalo.
• Andrei Vasilevskiy’s 30-Win Streak: Tampa’s goaltender reached 30 wins for the eighth straight season, proving once again why he’s one of the NHL’s elite netminders.

Tampa’s Home Dominance

The Lightning have been nearly unstoppable at home, boasting a 23-7-2 record at Amalie Arena. If Hedman can’t play, their defensive depth will be tested, but their offensive firepower remains a major threat to Boston.

What’s Next for the Bruins?

Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay could serve as an early indicator of how Boston will respond to its major roster shakeup.

Will the team rally and push for a late playoff run? Or is this the start of a new era for the Bruins, where they focus on retooling for the future?

For now, one thing is certain—Brad Marchand wearing a Florida Panthers jersey is a sight Bruins fans never thought they’d see.