The 2025-26 NHL season continues with an Atlantic Division showdown as the Carolina Hurricanes travel to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in a rematch of their December 16 thriller, where Carolina emerged victorious in overtime. The Hurricanes, riding a six-game point streak and boasting one of the league’s top defenses, aim to solidify their position atop the Metropolitan Division. The Lightning, dealing with a three-game losing skid and key injuries, seek to leverage home ice and their potent power play to turn the tide. With playoff implications already in play, this matchup could highlight special teams battles and goaltending duels, potentially swinging momentum heading into the holiday break.
Venue Location
The game will be played at Benchmark International Arena (formerly Amalie Arena) in Tampa, Florida. This 19,092-seat venue has been the Lightning’s home since 1996 and is renowned for its electric atmosphere, especially during high-stakes divisional games.
Puck drop is set for 7:00 PM ET. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ nationally, with local feeds on Bally Sports Sun for Lightning fans and Bally Sports South for Hurricanes viewers.
Injury Report
Carolina Hurricanes: Forward Seth Jarvis (Out – Undisclosed, sustained in overtime on Dec 19; expected to be “out for a while” per coach Rod Brind’Amour). Forward Jordan Martinook (Day-To-Day – Lower Body; missed recent games but could return). Center Jack Drury (Out – Hand). Goaltender Frederik Andersen (Out – Lower Body). These absences thin Carolina’s forward depth, forcing reliance on secondary scorers like Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Forward Nikita Kucherov (Day-To-Day – Illness; missed recent practices). Forward Brandon Hagel (Day-To-Day – Upper Body). Defenseman Emil Lilleberg (IR – Undisclosed; week-to-week). Defenseman Erik Cernak (Out – Undisclosed). Forward Anthony Cirelli (Day-To-Day – Undisclosed). Defenseman Victor Hedman (IR – Undisclosed). The Lightning’s blue line and top forwards are impacted, putting pressure on Nikita Kucherov (if available) and Brayden Point to carry the offense.
Player Matchups
This rematch spotlights several key battles that could decide the game, focusing on star forwards and defensive pairings:
Sebastian Aho (CAR, C) vs. Brayden Point (TBL, C): Aho (recent 2-goal game, 15 goals, 25 assists) brings two-way excellence and faceoff wins (51%), facing Point’s speed (12 goals, 20 assists), a center duel for neutral-zone control and high-danger opportunities.
Andrei Svechnikov (CAR, RW) vs. Nikita Kucherov (TBL, RW): Svechnikov (physical presence, 10 goals) tests Kucherov (day-to-day but league-leading 20 goals if playing), potentially exploiting mismatches in transition.
Brent Burns (CAR, D) vs. Jake Guentzle (TBL, LW): Burns (blue-line offense, 8 goals) must contain Guentzle’s scoring (11 goals), a defenseman-forward battle for zone exits.
Frederik Andersen (CAR, G) vs. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL, G): Andersen (out, lower body; so Antti Raanta or
Pyotr Kochetkov starts, 2.75 GAA) vs. Vasilevskiy (2.65 GAA, .905 SV%), where Tampa’s veteran could limit Carolina’s shots in a goaltending showcase.
Carolina’s depth edges Tampa amid injuries.
Team Records
Carolina Hurricanes: 22-9-3 (47 points), 1st in the Metropolitan Division.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 18-13-3 (39 points), 5th in the Atlantic Division.
Recent Team Forms
Carolina is on fire with a 5-0-1 point streak in their last six, including a 4-3 shootout loss to Florida on Dec 19 (still a point) and a 4-3 OT win over Tampa on Dec 16. They averaged 3.8 goals for and 2.5 against in last five, with a power play at 16% and penalty kill at 85%, showcasing elite defense and timely scoring.
Tampa Bay is slumping with a 1-4-0 record in their last five, including a 1-2 loss to LA on Dec 18 and a 2-3 loss to Florida on Dec 15. They averaged 2.4 goals for and 3.2 against, with a power play at 25% but penalty kill at 78%, highlighting offensive droughts and defensive lapses.
Series History
Carolina holds a 73-53-10-11 all-time edge over Tampa Bay in 147 meetings. At home for Tampa, the Lightning are 33-45-7 vs. Carolina. Recently, Tampa is 6-3-1 in the last 10, but Carolina won the most recent 4-3 OT on Dec 16. Games average 5.8 goals in that span, with the home team winning 5 of 10. This is the second of three scheduled matchups this season, with a rematch in March 2026.
Betting Trends
Carolina is a slight road favorite, reflecting their streak. Trends: Hurricanes are 4-1 in last 5 road games and 5-0-1 in last 6 overall; under has hit in 4 of Carolina’s last 5. Lightning are 1-4 in last 5 and 2-3 ATS at home; over is 4-1 in Tampa’s last 5 vs. Metropolitan foes. Head-to-head, Carolina is 4-6 in last 10 straight up, but under has cashed in 5 of 7. League-wide, unders hit 55% in December games with injuries.
Game Odds
Carolina Hurricanes 5.5
Tampa Bay Lightning – 115
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, December 19, 2025
