Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

On the surface, Tampa Bay is a run-of-the-mill opponent for allowing shots with a 13th-ranked 50.7 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5 and surrendering a middling 28.4 shots per game. The Lightning do allow the sixth-most shots per game to opposing wingers, though, so Tkachuk is positioned to have oodles of shooting opportunities again tonight.