Utah Hockey Club vs Tampa Bay Prediction 22 March 2025
🔊 Will the home team keep their playoff hopes alive? Utah are still in the hunt for a spot in the Western Conference's top eight, but they've been dropping points frequently of late. Tampa, on the other hand, have long secured their place in the top eight of the Eastern Conference and are now fighting for home-ice advantage in the first round.
Head-to-Head
The teams have not faced each other before.
Head-to-head statistics Utah Hockey Club - Tampa Bay
Utah Hockey Club Team Overview
André Tourigny's squad continues to surprise. Few expected that by the end of March, the team would still be in contention for a Stanley Cup playoff spot, yet the league's newcomer refuses to back down. In their last eight games, they have suffered only two regulation losses, against Seattle (2-4) and Edmonton (1-7). Despite these setbacks, the home team remains within striking distance of the coveted eighth spot. They trail St. Louis by just 4 points with a game in hand. However, their chances of ultimate success remain slim, as they lack the experience needed for such a battle. Former Arizona players have not faced this kind of situation for years and are struggling to keep up with the pace set by the favorites.
Match Results: Utah Hockey Club
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Overview
The Lightning have long secured their playoff spot and are now focused on one goal-enhancing their standings to gain home-ice advantage in the first-round series. In their last five games, John Cooper's squad has only suffered one regulation loss, when Carolina capitalized on every opportunity (1-4). However, this setback didn't faze the team at all; they bounced back by defeating one of the Western favorites, Dallas (3-2 OT). Their first Stanley Cup opponent will definitely be either Florida or Toronto, promising fans an exciting and unpredictable matchup. The concentration of talent on the ice will be off the charts.
Match Results: Tampa Bay Lightning
📌 Projected Lineups
Utah: Vejmelka - Marino, Sergachev - Schmaltz, Cooley, Keller
Tampa: Vasilevskiy - Hedman, Moser - Hagel, Cirelli, Kucherov
🥅 Goalies
Utah's goaltender Karel Vejmelka is set to start his 12th consecutive game. Such a workload is incredibly demanding, but the team currently has no alternatives to the Czech. This pressure resulted in a complete breakdown against Edmonton (80%), but he quickly bounced back with an impressive performance against Buffalo (92.6%).
Tampa's goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has returned to top form. In his last two outings, the Russian not only secured victories for his teammates but also recorded a shutout against Philadelphia (2-0). As the playoffs approach, the product of the Ufa hockey school looks increasingly formidable.
Editorial Prediction
The NHL newcomer is securing most of their points on home ice in Salt Lake City. Under Andre Tourigny's guidance, the team has managed to at least force overtime in 7 of their last 8 home games. The Lightning will certainly aim to boost their standing in the Eastern Conference, but it won't be an easy task for them. Mikhail Sergachev will be keen to prevent his former team from achieving another victory. We believe the current trend will continue, and we recommend the bet - Utah will not lose.
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Betting Tips: Utah Hockey Club - Tampa Bay Lightning
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