Lightning vs Predators Live Stream: Start Time, TV Channel, Odds & Key Storylines for Tonight’s NHL Showdown

The Tampa Bay Lightning skate into Bridgestone Arena tonight, October 28 2025, for a prime-time clash with the Nashville Predators that already feels like a mid-season measuring stick. Puck drop is set for 7:45 p.m. ET, and fans searching “Lightning vs Predators live stream,” “TV channel,” or “how to watch Tampa Bay Lightning tonight” can tune in on Bally Sports Sun in Florida, Bally Sports South in Tennessee and nationwide on ESPN+. Hot-button storylines • Andrei Vasilevskiy returns to the crease after a scheduled rest day and faces Juuse Saros in what projects to be one of the NHL’s best goaltending duels. • Tampa Bay’s top line of Jake Guentzel–Brayden Point–Nikita Kucherov has collected 18 points over the last three games, while Nashville counters with Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly, who have combined for 10 goals already. • Special teams could swing the outcome: the Lightning power play ranks 2nd in the league (32.0 %), but the Predators penalty kill is clicking at 88.4 %, 4th overall. Recent form Lightning: 3-0-0 since a sluggish 0-4-2 start, highlighted by a 5-2 win over Detroit on Frozen Frenzy night. Predators: 4-1-1 in their last six, including an overtime thriller against Colorado that featured a Forsberg game-winner. Key matchup: blue-line depth Victor Hedman and Mikhail Sergachev drive Tampa Bay’s breakout, yet Nashville’s young pairing of Luke Schenn and Dante Fabbro has quietly limited opponents to 1.8 goals per 60 at five-on-five. Expect the Preds to target Kucherov with physical play at the red line to slow Tampa’s speed through neutral ice. Betting odds & predictions Sportsbooks opened Tampa Bay as a –125 road favorite with the over/under at 6.5 goals. Given both clubs’ high-octane top six but sturdy netminding, a slim 3-2 result feels likely. Look for Brayden Point any-time goal scorer (+165) and the under 6.5. Injury report • Lightning: Tanner Jeannot (upper body) remains day-to-day; Zach Bogosian (hand) is on IR. • Predators: Roman Josi (illness) practiced Monday, listed as game-time decision; Cody Glass (ankle) week-to-week. How to watch and stream • TV: Bally Sports Sun, Bally Sports South, TVA Sports (Canada) • Streaming: ESPN+, FuboTV, Sling Orange, Hulu + Live TV • Radio: 970 WFLA (Tampa), 102.5 The Game (Nashville) Why this game matters Both clubs hover around the early-season wild-card line, making every divisional point crucial in the crowded Central and Atlantic races. A Lightning victory would extend their winning streak to four and re-establish their road-warrior reputation. A Predators triumph would reinforce Bridgestone as a hostile barn and push Nashville over .500 for the first time since opening week. Quick facts fans are Googling • Last meeting: Tampa Bay 4, Nashville 3 (OT) on Apr 6 2025. • All-time series: Lightning lead 25-17-4. • Ticket prices: secondary market from $43; limited lower-bowl seats remaining. Bottom line Tonight’s Lightning vs Predators showdown pits elite goaltenders, surging offenses and playoff-level intensity in a marquee NHL matchup that hockey fans won’t want to miss.