Tampa Bay Lightning vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions March 25th 2025

Penguins vs. Lightning: Pride on the Line in Florida

The Pittsburgh Penguins will travel to Florida’s Gulf Coast to wrap up their three-game season series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. While the Penguins are fighting to salvage their season and maintain pride, the Lightning are battling for positioning in the Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay currently trails the first-place Florida Panthers by four points but holds a game in hand.

This crucial matchup marks the first time the two teams will meet in Florida this season and the first since Tampa Bay defeated Pittsburgh 5-2 on January 12 in Pittsburgh. After two straight regulation losses, the Lightning are looking to bounce back and keep pace in the divisional race.

For more betting insights and analysis, check out the NHL Expert Betting Guide.

Lightning Looking to Bounce Back

The Tampa Bay Lightning (40-25-5, 85 points) are coming off a rough patch, losing two consecutive games that have stalled their push for the top of the Atlantic Division. A disappointing 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday capped a 1-2-0 road trip, bringing their road record to 16-17-3. The Lightning have been in a slump, but they know they must build momentum as the playoffs approach.

Forward Brandon Hagel emphasized the importance of establishing consistency as the regular season winds down.
“Kind of the message here with the guys is ‘let’s start building something here,'” Hagel said. “(The postseason) is not just a light switch that turns on 12 games from now.”

Anthony Cirelli, who is set to play his 500th career game on Tuesday, remains a vital piece of the Lightning’s offensive puzzle. With 24 goals and 26 assists this season, Cirelli has been consistent on both ends of the ice. Nikita Kucherov continues to impress as well, netting his 30th goal of the season in the closing seconds against Vegas, marking the eighth time in his career he has hit the 30-goal plateau.

For the latest Atlantic Division odds and predictions, check out the NHL Atlantic Division Odds.

Penguins Fighting for Pride

The Pittsburgh Penguins (29-32-11, 69 points) have had a turbulent season, struggling to find consistency and losing crucial points after regulation. The team has suffered 11 losses after regulation this season, significantly impacting their playoff aspirations.

In their most recent game, Pittsburgh squandered a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers, eventually falling 4-3 in a shootout. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped all three shootout attempts from Rickard Rakell, Sidney Crosby, and Bryan Rust, extending Pittsburgh’s shootout record to 1-6 this season.

The reality for the Penguins is harsh: Even with a 10-game winning streak to close out the season, they would finish with 89 points, likely falling short of a playoff berth. However, the team’s leadership group — featuring Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson — continues to compete with pride.

Bryan Rust, who scored twice against the Panthers, emphasized the team’s mindset:
“Shows a lot about the character and leadership in this room, is that we’re in here to keep fighting hard, keep playing really hard. It doesn’t really matter where we are, kind of what’s going on.”

For more playoff odds and analysis, visit the NHL Metropolitan Division Odds.

Every Play, Every Point

Track NBA Scores Live

Get Free Trial

Key Players to Watch

Sidney Crosby remains the heartbeat of the Penguins’ offense, collecting two assists against Florida to bring his season total to 78 points in 70 games. Crosby’s leadership has been crucial in keeping Pittsburgh competitive despite mounting challenges. Rickard Rakell has also stepped up, leading the team with 32 goals in 71 games.

For the Lightning, Nikita Kucherov and Anthony Cirelli continue to drive the offense, while Brandon Hagel has been a vital spark plug on the forecheck. Tampa Bay’s ability to convert chances efficiently will be essential against a desperate Penguins team.

For more insights on player performance and scoring leaders, visit the NHL Scoring Leader Odds.

Key Matchup: Penguins’ Pride vs. Lightning’s Determination

The Penguins are playing for pride, determined to finish the season strong despite long odds of making the playoffs. They need to focus on maintaining leads, which has been a consistent issue. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, knows it must solidify its position in the Atlantic Division while trying to gain momentum before the postseason.

This game will be a test of Pittsburgh’s resolve and Tampa Bay’s ability to respond after back-to-back losses. The Lightning must capitalize on their scoring depth and create sustained offensive pressure, while the Penguins need to tighten their defense and convert on scoring chances.

For game predictions and expert picks, visit the NHL Picks.

What to Watch For

• Will Sidney Crosby continue to lead by example and fuel the Penguins’ attack?
• Can the Lightning bounce back and find consistency before the playoffs?
• How will Anthony Cirelli perform in his milestone 500th game?
• Will the Penguins finally shake off their shootout woes?
• Can Nikita Kucherov continue his scoring surge and spark the Lightning offense?

For more conference updates and predictions, check out the NHL Conference Odds.

Conclusion

The Penguins may be playing for pride, but they remain a tough opponent with plenty of veteran leadership determined to make a statement. Meanwhile, the Lightning are looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs and solidify their spot near the top of the Atlantic Division. It’s a clash of resilience and ambition as these two Eastern Conference teams battle it out.

For more NHL odds and expert analysis, visit the NHL Expert Betting Guide.