Tampa Bay Lightning at New Jersey Devils

NHL game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the New Jersey Devils on Dec 12, 2025. Final score: Tampa Bay Lightning 8, New Jersey Devils 4.

StatusFinal
DateDec 12, 2025
VenuePrudential Center
Tampa Bay Lightning score8
New Jersey Devils score4

Shot charts, expected goals (xG), Game Score and advanced box scores for this game are available on Hockey Alchemy.

Three Stars by Game Score

Ranked by Game Score, which rolls goals, assists, shot quality, play-driving and penalties into one number — so the best player is chosen by the box score, not by a vote.

PlayerPosGASOGTOIxGGame Score
1stNikita KucherovR04416:120.202.56
2ndOliver BjorkstrandR21313:470.352.19
3rdJake GuentzelC12215:220.442.08

Scoring Summary

TimeTeamGoalAssistsStrengthScore (Tampa Bay Lightning–New Jersey Devils)
1st 02:57TBLNick PaulScott Sabourin5v51–0
1st 03:48TBLDarren RaddyshNikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel5v52–0
1st 07:00NJDLuke HughesBrenden Dillon, Paul Cotter5v52–1
1st 07:56TBLPontus HolmbergJ.J. Moser, Yanni Gourde5v53–1
1st 15:00TBLJake GuentzelOliver Bjorkstrand, Darren Raddysh4v54–1
2nd 06:19TBLOliver BjorkstrandJake Guentzel, Brayden Point5v55–1
2nd 13:12NJDJesper BrattSimon Nemec, Stefan Noesen5v45–2
2nd 16:35TBLBrandon HagelNikita Kucherov, Declan Carlile5v66–2
3rd 03:13NJDAngus CrookshankColton White, Simon Nemec6v56–3
3rd 07:55TBLBrayden PointNikita Kucherov, J.J. Moser5v57–3
3rd 15:28NJDPaul CotterCody Glass, Luke Hughes4v47–4
3rd 15:57TBLOliver BjorkstrandJake Guentzel, Nikita Kucherov4v58–4

Team Comparison

Tampa Bay LightningNew Jersey Devils
Goals84
Shots on goal3537
Expected goals (xG)2.943.98
High-danger shots1312
Corsi %46.2%53.8%
Power play2/31/2
Faceoff %51.5%48.5%
Hits1532
Blocks1313
Giveaways714
Takeaways26

Tampa Bay Lightning Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Nikita KucherovR044416:120.202.56
Oliver BjorkstrandR213313:470.352.19
Jake GuentzelC123215:220.442.08
Brandon HagelL112416:550.511.54
Darren RaddyshD112123:090.031.54
Brayden PointC112215:270.101.44
J.J. MoserD022420:490.101.28
Pontus HolmbergR101216:190.020.75
Nick PaulL101212:380.170.75
Declan CarlileD011316:040.060.74
Yanni GourdeC011119:310.090.39
Emil LillebergD000119:230.030.25
Zemgus GirgensonsC000018:440.000.20
Max CrozierD000117:120.030.10
Charle-Edouard D'AstousD000320:590.120.05
Anthony CirelliC000114:170.340.05
Scott SabourinR01109:080.000.02
Curtis DouglasC00019:480.140.00

New Jersey Devils Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Paul CotterL112314:040.421.69
Luke HughesD112123:520.131.39
Simon NemecD022320:520.121.13
Colton WhiteD011114:460.010.99
Jesper BrattL101416:460.960.90
Angus CrookshankC101310:240.210.80
Stefan NoesenR011515:590.310.69
Cody GlassC011315:460.280.69
Brenden DillonD011019:370.000.57
Jonas SiegenthalerD000417:230.050.15
Ondrej PalatL000214:430.150.15
Connor BrownR000019:200.040.05
Luke GlendeningC000010:160.000.05
Xavier ParentC00009:420.020.05
Nico HischierC000317:210.390.00
Dougie HamiltonD000419:530.400.00
Arseny GritsyukR000019:440.02-0.05
Dawson MercerC000116:450.02-0.10

Goaltending

GoalieTeamSVSASV%GSAxDecision
Jonas JohanssonTampa Bay Lightning333789.2%-3.39W
Jake AllenNew Jersey Devils232882.1%-1.71L
Jacob MarkstromNew Jersey Devils4757.1%-1.99

Analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New Jersey Devils 8–4 on Dec 12, 2025, a decisive 4-goal win.

New Jersey Devils generated 3.98 expected goals to Tampa Bay Lightning's 2.94 — New Jersey Devils owned the better of the chances but Tampa Bay Lightning took the game, the kind of split that usually means finishing or goaltending decided it.

Nikita Kucherov led all skaters with a Game Score of 2.56 on 4 assists, 4 shots on goal.

Jake Allen stopped 23 of 28, worth -1.71 goals saved above expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Tampa Bay Lightning vs New Jersey Devils game?

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the New Jersey Devils 8–4 on Dec 12, 2025.

What was the final score?

The final score was Tampa Bay Lightning 8, New Jersey Devils 4.

Who was the best player in this game?

By Game Score — a single-number summary of everything a skater did — Nikita Kucherov led all skaters at 2.56, on 0G, 4A and 4 shots on goal.

Which team deserved to win by expected goals?

New Jersey Devils generated 3.98 expected goals and Tampa Bay Lightning generated 2.94, so New Jersey Devils created the better chances. The scoreboard went the other way, which points to finishing or goaltending.

What were the shot totals?

Tampa Bay Lightning put 35 shots on goal and New Jersey Devils put 37. High-danger chances went 13 to 12.

How did the goaltenders play?

Jonas Johansson stopped 33 of 37 (-3.39 goals saved above expected); Jake Allen stopped 23 of 28 (-1.71 goals saved above expected).