Golden Knights Face Lightning Tonight in Key Pacific Division Clash

TAMPA, Fla. — The Vegas Golden Knights are set to host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, March 23, 2025, aiming for their second consecutive win as they seek to consolidate their lead in the Pacific Division.

After a decisive 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, during which Tomas Hertl scored a hat trick, the Golden Knights are feeling optimistic. Hertl’s stellar performance not only contributed to the team’s home win but also marked the third time in a row that a Golden Knights player has netted three goals in a game.

Since January, Hertl has been on a scoring tear, leading the NHL with 20 goals in just 32 games. His scoring prowess was again displayed when he tallied another hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings earlier in the day.

This matchup tonight is particularly significant as it is the first encounter between the Golden Knights and Lightning since their last meeting on October 17, 2024, when the Lightning edged out Vegas 4-3. Despite holding a 3-2 lead late in that game, the Golden Knights conceded two goals in the final four minutes, a turning point that left the team eager for redemption.

The Golden Knights are currently boasting impressive individual statistics. Hertl leads the team with 30 goals and 58 points over 69 games. He is joined by fellow forward Pavel Dorofeyev, who has also netted 30 goals, and Jack Eichel, who has amassed 86 points with 22 goals and 64 assists.

On the other side, the Lightning’s top performers include Nikita Kucherov with 29 goals and 97 points across 65 games. Brandon Hagel has also been impactful with 32 goals and 76 points. Brayden Point contributes significantly with 34 goals and an equal number of assists.

Both teams will have some players sidelined tonight. The Golden Knights are without Shea Theodore due to an arm injury and Raphael Lavoie, who is dealing with an upper body issue. Meanwhile, the Lightning will miss goaltender Jonas Johansson for personal reasons.

Tonight’s game will air on Scripps Sports via channel 34 on Cox Communications and stream on KnightTime+ and ESPN+. Betting lines have the Golden Knights favored at -122, with the Lightning at +102, while the over/under is set at 6.5.

In goal, Vegas will start Ilya Samsonov, who has a record of 15 wins and 9 losses in 27 games, a 2.92 goals-against average, and an .889 save percentage. Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy, with a record of 32 wins against 18 losses in 53 games, boasts a goals-against average of 2.22 and a .920 save percentage.