NHL bettors can rejoice in Tennessee as the start of the season kicks off soon. One betting opportunity to check out is the Nashville Predators traveling to Florida to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

When: October 10, 2023 at 5:30 PM ET

Where: Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida

Watch: ESPN/ESPN+

Nashville Predators Preview

The Predators went 42-32-8 in their 2022 campaign and aim to improve this season. They finished fifth in the Central Division, but were not consistent on the road with a 20-17-4 record. Based on preseason results and changes made to coaching, they are currently ranked 22nd in the league heading into the start of the season.

They scored around 2.72 goals per game last year, which needs some improvement heading into this season. Against the Lightning, they scored two goals in both of their matchups, so they will need to do better offensively. Their ability to keep games close defensively is what helped them have a respectable season, but injuries plagued them. 

Looking at their defense, they have an amazing goalie lineup of Yaroslav Askarov, Juuse Saros, and Kevin Lankinen. On the bright side, a lot of injuries opened the door for younger players to shine. This, in theory, should give the Predators a deeper roster and build on younger talent to drive their offense.

If they can keep penalties down, they will also have a good opportunity to win. They averaged four penalties each game and suffered just under 10 penalty minutes each game.

Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

The Lightning finished their 2022 season with a 46-30-6 record. They capped off their season with a third place finish in the Atlantic division, but fell short in the first round of the playoffs. They are currently ranked as the 11th best team in the league with a positive outlook on the season.

Their offense was good at 3.4 goals per game last year, but they allowed 3.1. A lot of the weight offensively will be put on Victor Hedman since Andrei Vasilevskiy is out with an injury.

They will need to rely on their depth to reach the playoffs again. This will be a good test to see where their team is right out of the gate and if they can make an impact in this game. They were able to win in both meetings last season, but things have changed on both sides for each team.

Assuming they can overcome injuries and find consistency on offense, they should be a dynamic threat. Nikita Kucherov is a perfect example of an x-factor, as he will be the glue on offense to help with any gaps.

Betting Odds

ZenSports’ Tennessee sportsbook shines as the ultimate spot for your NHL betting. The Lightning’s position as slight favorites in the opening match sets the stage for their success.

Nashville Predators: +145

Spread: +1.5 (-165)

Tampa Bay Lightning: -165

Spread: -1.5 (+145)

Totals: Over 6.5 (+100), Under 6.5 (-120)

Photo Credit: © Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports