Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Philadelphia Flyers. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions Overview
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch: The Spot, NBCSP, TVAS
Location: Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL
2024–25 Season Series: Tampa Bay 2, Philadelphia 1
The Bolts (12-7-2) welcome the Philadelphia Flyers (11-6-3) in what promises to be a wonderfully chaotic evening of hockey etiquette colliding. Tampa is fresh off a 5-3 win over the Washington Capitals. Brandon Hagel scored twice and tallied two assists. Nikita Kucherov also scored and added a pair of assists for the Lightning, now winners of three straight. The Flyers hosted and toasted the New Jersey Devils 6-3, setting a franchise record by scoring three goals in just 26 seconds.
Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook
The Lightning are on a three-game win streak and have scored a dozen goals, though a baker’s dozen would look better on the stats sheet. Nikita Kucherov is rediscovering his MVP groove with three goals and five assists in his last five games. Andrei Vasilevskiy has swallowed saves like they were appetizers with a .962 save rate in his previous three games/wins. The offence is humming, but the defence and penalty kills will need to stay sharp. Philly thrives on greasy goals, hard forechecks, and chaos that feels suspiciously intentional.
Keys to Victory for Tampa Bay
NHL Predictions thinks Tampa sometimes turns zone exits into performance art; unsettling and confusing. Against the Flyers’ relentless forecheck, keep it ho-hum boring. Boring can be beautiful. Stay disciplined. Philly doesn’t have Edmonton’s star power, but they will absolutely feast if gifted “oops” penalties. Even with Tampa’s 87.3% on Penalty Kills (second in the league), it’s better to keep Vasilevskiy’s sightlines open. The Flyers love planting bodies in the crease like they’re starting a community garden. Get Jake Guentzel back on his Hat-Trick track, like he did three games ago.
Philadelphia Flyers Outlook
The Flyers continue to be hockey’s version of controlled madness; never the most skilled lineup, but rarely outworked. Trevor Zegras leads the charge in Goals (seven), Assists (14) and Points (21). Travis Konecny with Christian Dvorak and Owen Tippett providing the grit-and-go scoring. Their defence is sturdy but not exactly silky, and Dan Vladar’s goaltending has been spotty. Samuel Ersson has shown flashes in goal, but flashes don’t win back-to-back road games. Philly sees its next four games on the road. So, expect tired legs or at least some grumbling about hotel mattresses.
Keys to Victory – Philadelphia
NHL Predictions says simplicity is the Flyers’ friend. Pepper the net. Crash the crease. Make life uncomfortable for Vasilevskiy; screens, chaos, deflections, smelling salts, whatever works. On offence, ride Zegras’ energy and attack Tampa’s defence before it gets set. On special teams, survive. That’s it. Just survive. Tampa’s power play is 100% capable of ruining nice things.
NHL Predictions: Who Takes the W?
This one screams controlled chaos. Tampa has the star power, depth, and the Big Cat. Philly has work ethic, annoyance energy, and a coach who could motivate a brick to backcheck.
Prediction: Lightning 2, Flyers 1
Prop Bets of the Night
Under 4.0 Total Goals (-110): Tampa can score in bunches, but Philly can turn games into scrambles. Expect a low one.
Kucherov Anytime Point (-160): Picking against him is like betting against gravity. It’s there and it happens.
Final Thoughts
NHL Predictions thinks this matchup checks every box: big saves, big hits, and moments of “What just happened?” Tampa wants to cement itself as a legitimate threat again, while Philadelphia aims to prove their gritty, bruising identity still wins in 2025.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions; some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The post NHL Predictions: November 24th Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.