Welcome back to NHL Predictions, where we break down matchups, analyze stats, and pretend we have the foresight of a veteran goalie in a shootout. Tonight, it’s a matchup you didn’t see coming—but you’ll be glad you did: the Tampa Bay Lightning vs. theUtah Hockey Club.
Yes, Utah is the new kid on the block, and Tampa? Well, they’re the seasoned pros with two shiny Stanley Cups from the last few years. Will the Lightning zap Utah into submission, or will the newcomers prove they’re more than just altitude and ambition? Let’s dig in.
NHL Predictions
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Utah Hockey Club
Head-to-Head: Lightning 0-1 Utah HC
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: SNO; SN 1; Fan Duel Sports Sunshine; Utah16; ESPN+
Lightning: Keys to Victory
Let’s be honest—Tampa Bay has been here before. The playoff race, the pressure, the primetime matchups—it’s old hat for a team that’s basically become the NHL’s version of that friend who always has the great fantasy hockey lineup. Nikita Kucherov, 101 points (30 goals, 71 assists) in 67 games, leads the league in points like it’s a hobby. Brayden Point is still slicing through defences with the grace of a figure skater and the cruelty of a velociraptor. And let’s not forget Jake Guentzel, who has found his rhythm with two goals and three assists in the past five games.
If Tampa wants to silence the Utah crowd (which, let’s be honest, is still learning how to properly boo offside calls), they’ll need to control the tempo with their transition game. Utah has size and grit, but speed kills—and Tampa has a full stable of Ferraris. Oh, and Andrei Vasilevskiy? Yeah, he’s still elite. He’s the kind of goalie who could stop a puck with his mind if he really tried. He’ll need to be sharp against a Utah squad that thrives on second-chance opportunities.
Utah Hockey Club Keys to Victory
Don’t sleep on Utah. Sure, they’re the NHL’s newest experiment, but NHL Predictions believes they’ve built a roster that’s more than just expansion filler. This team has size, youth, and just enough chaos to make things interesting. Dylan Guenther has been a game-changer, with 26 goals and 24 assists in his 59 games. Clayton Keller‘s 78 points lead the team. Utah’s success hinges on their ability to slow things down. Think of them as the NHL’s defensive tortoise—frustrating, hard to get past, and never in a rush. They’ll want to clog the neutral zone like a group of dads at the hardware store.
Utah’s blue line is tough. They’ll want to wear Tampa down, win board battles, and make it feel like every entry into the zone comes with a bodycheck tax. If Karel Vejmelka gets the start in net, 3-2 in his last five games, he’ll need to play out of his mind. Tampa will be firing from all angles, so his rebound control and positioning will need to be sharper than his skate blades.
Game Storylines
Utah’s got heart. They’ve got altitude. They’ve got a new fanbase waving foam hockey sticks and asking, “Wait, what’s icing again?” But Tampa has experience, elite talent, and a power play that could double as a Marvel villain. If the Lightning stay out of the penalty box and get Vasilevskiy in rhythm early, they should weather the Utah storm.
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Utah HC 2
Look for a close game through two periods before Tampa’s top line shifts into overdrive. The third period could be a highlight reel for Kucherov & Co.
Top Prop Bets
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Nikita Kucherov Anytime Goal (+135)
Betting against Kucherov scoring is like betting against winter in Canada. He’s a machine—and Utah’s still figuring out how to stop elite top-six forwards. -
Dylan Guenther Over 2.5 Shots on Goal (-175)
Utah’s best offensive weapon will be looking to snipe. If they want to hang with Tampa, Guenther will need to be aggressive from the start.
Final Thoughts
This one has the potential to be a fun, fast-paced game with just the right amount of unpredictability. Tampa Bay is the obvious favourite, but don’t count out Utah—they’ve shown flashes of brilliance and could use this matchup as a “we’ve arrived” moment. And they did beat Tampa Bay last week in their first-ever match.
Main photo by: Peter Creveling-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions March 27: Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Utah Hockey Club. appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.