Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, here at Last Word on Hockey, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games. For this edition, we take a closer look at the Tampa Bay Lightning facing the Philadelphia Flyers.
NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Philadelphia Flyers
2025-26 Season Series: 1-0 Lightning
How to Watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, The Spot, ESPN+, SN+
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lightning Storylines
The team currently holding the longest winning streak in the NHL comes into Philadelphia a well-rested bunch. The Lightning extended their winning streak to eight games on Tuesday night against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.
The Lightning are doing all of this without Victor Hedman and Ryan McDonagh, currently. They have also played multiple games without Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Erik Cernak. And they haven’t missed a beat.
The Lightning rank fourth in the NHL in points percentage. They have the second-highest goal differential. Moreover, they rank seventh in goals for and second in goals against.
Their depth continues to carry them through the moments without their superstar players. And their superstars are doing superstar things, like Kucherov picking up 19 points on an eight-game points streak. It’s starting to feel a lot like 2020 and 2021 with this team.
Flyers’ Storylines
The Flyers appeared to have a third-straight win locked down, when a shorthanded goal from old friend Scott Laughton allowed the Toronto Maple Leafs to tie Thursday’s game late and force overtime. The Flyers’ struggles there continued, with Easton Cowan scoring the game-winning goal for Toronto.
It didn’t help that another Flyer left the game early. Travis Konecny, who scored the lone goal for the Flyers, was unable to finish Thursday’s game. The Flyers are already down Bobby Brink and Jamie Drysdale from Tuesday’s game against Anaheim.
Injury updates: Defenseman Jamie Drysdale has been placed on injured reserve (upper body) retroactive to Jan. 6. We have recalled defenseman Adam Ginning from the @LVPhantoms (AHL).
Additionally, forwards Bobby Brink and Travis Konecny are day-to-day with upper-body injuries.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2026
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The upcoming schedule for the Flyers is daunting, especially given the recent bunch of injuries that have surfaced. Two in a row against Tampa Bay, winners of eight straight games. Then Buffalo on the road, winners of 12 of the last 13 games. Then Pittsburgh the very next night, winners of six straight.
This will certainly test the depth and fortitude of the Flyers. Playoff teams are made to withstand these circumstances. If the Flyers want to announce their presence firmly in that conversation, coming away with some wins will speak volumes.
Predictions and Best Bets
Prediction: Lightning 4, Flyers 1
The Lightning possess more star power than the Flyers, and it all seems to be clicking right now. The Flyers will likely be without Brink and Drysdale for a second-straight game, and if they have to add Konecny to that list, who is second on the team in points, then a difficult matchup only becomes more of a challenge. Expect the Tampa Bay Lightning to continue their winning streak.
For best bets for the Lightning, get in on Kucherov to continue his points streak. In addition to his 19 points during the eight-game points streak, Kucherov has points in 21 of his last 24 games. In that time, he has 47 points.
For the Flyers, take Matvei Michkov to record a point. Michkov has just one goal and nine points in the last 17 games, but should get more opportunities with the injuries the Flyers have up front.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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