New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected matchup – November 12, 2025

The New York Rangers head to Tampa on a mission to extend their impressive road dominance when they face the Lightning on November 12, 2025, at Benchmark International Arena. With a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop, the Rangers bring an NHL-best 7-1-1 road record to Florida, while the Lightning look to continue their recent surge after winning seven of their last eight games. Both teams enter this matchup with playoff aspirations and plenty of momentum, setting up what promises to be an intense Atlantic Division showdown.

After finally snapping their historically poor home start with a 6-3 victory over Nashville on Monday, the Rangers now return to where they’ve excelled all season—opposing rinks. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has shaken off an early-season slump and looks poised to defend home ice despite facing several key injuries to their defensive corps.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Rangers’ forward combinations

The Rangers will deploy a top line featuring J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad alongside rookie Gabe Perreault, as head coach Mike Sullivan continues to shuffle combinations in search of offensive consistency. Miller has brought veteran presence to the Blueshirts’ attack, while Perreault represents the organization’s hopes for the future after being drafted in the first round.

The second line remains intact with the dynamic trio of Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere. Panarin continues to be the Rangers’ primary playmaker, orchestrating the offense with his elite vision and passing ability. Lafreniere has shown significant growth in his development, providing the finishing touch on many of Panarin’s creative setups.

Will Cuylle anchors the third line between Noah Laba and Conor Sheary. The 23-year-old Cuylle has been particularly impressive recently, scoring three goals in his last five games and once again leading the team with 59 hits. His physical presence and ability to contribute offensively make him a valuable two-way asset. Sullivan praised his versatility, noting that Cuylle “brings a solid offensive threat” while remaining “a solid defensive player.”

The fourth line features Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick, and Taylor Raddysh, providing energy and defensive responsibility. This unit will be tasked with neutralizing Tampa Bay’s depth scoring and winning the physical battles along the boards. With Matt Rempe sidelined with an upper body injury, the Rangers need their bottom-six forwards to maintain their defensive structure while contributing timely offense.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Blueshirts’ defensive pairings

Adam Fox continues to anchor the Rangers’ blue line alongside Vladislav Gavrikov on the top pairing. Fox remains one of the NHL’s elite defensemen, quarterbacking the power play and logging heavy minutes in all situations. His ability to read plays and create transition opportunities will be crucial against Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense.

The second pairing of Carson Soucy and Will Borgen has been a revelation for the Rangers this season. Borgen is averaging a career-high 18:39 time on ice through 17 games and has been exceptional in limiting high-danger chances against. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Rangers hold a commanding 61-31 advantage in high-danger chances when Borgen is on the ice at five-on-five. He’s also been physical and responsible, ranking fourth on the team with 22 blocked shots.

Sullivan has been particularly pleased with Borgen’s contributions, stating, “What we’re asking of Will is to be hard to play against, defend hard, help us on the penalty kill, defend the rushes aggressively, kill plays in the D zone, be hard at the net front. We think he’s doing a great job at it. He’s competitive and has a level of abrasiveness to his game that I think makes us a whole lot more difficult to play against.”

The third pairing features Urho Vaakanainen and Braden Schneider. Vaakanainen will reach a personal milestone by playing his 200th NHL game, a significant achievement for the 26-year-old who has battled injuries and inconsistency throughout his career. Since being acquired from Anaheim as part of the Jacob Trouba trade last season, Vaakanainen has found stability with the Rangers, earning a two-year, $3.1 million contract extension. Matthew Robertson remains scratched but continues to push for playing time.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Rangers’ goaltending situation

Igor Shesterkin will make his third consecutive start between the pipes for New York. The Russian netminder has been outstanding on the road this season, helping the Rangers post a 1.89 goals-against average away from Madison Square Garden—the best mark in the NHL. Shesterkin’s ability to make timely saves and control his crease will be tested against Tampa Bay’s skilled forwards.

Shesterkin has historically performed well against the Lightning, using his athleticism and positioning to neutralize their east-west passing plays. His performance will be crucial as the Rangers aim to maintain their road dominance and climb the Metropolitan Division standings. With the Rangers finally finding their footing at home, consistency from their franchise goaltender could be the catalyst for a sustained winning streak.

Jonathan Quick serves as the backup and provides veteran insurance. The former Conn Smythe Trophy winner brings championship experience and can step in if needed. Similar to their recent successful matchup against the Islanders, the Rangers will lean on their goaltending strength to frustrate Tampa Bay’s offensive stars.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Lightning’s forward lines

Tampa Bay will counter with their lethal top line of Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov. Guentzel leads the Lightning with 15 points through 15 games, recording six goals and nine assists since joining the team. His chemistry with Point and Kucherov has developed quickly, creating one of the most dangerous trios in the Eastern Conference.

Kucherov, despite a relatively quiet start by his elite standards with 14 points in 13 games, remains a constant threat. The three-time NHL scoring champion has tormented the Rangers throughout his career, accumulating 37 points in 30 games against New York. His ability to find open space and deliver perfect passes makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses.

The second line features Brandon Hagel, Anthony Cirelli, and Gage Goncalves. Hagel has been Tampa Bay’s most consistent scorer early this season with 13 points, including seven goals. His game-winning goal against Washington on Saturday showcased his clutch ability and nose for the net. Cirelli returns after missing the previous game with an undisclosed injury, providing the Lightning with a shutdown center who excels in all three zones.

Tampa Bay’s third and fourth lines include Zemgus Girgensons, Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Curtis Douglas, Jack Finley, and Scott Sabourin. This depth has been crucial during the Lightning’s recent seven-game surge, as they’ve received scoring contributions throughout their lineup. Gourde brings playoff pedigree and defensive acumen, while Bjorkstrand provides offensive punch from the third unit.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Lightning’s defensive corps without key pieces

The Lightning face significant challenges on their blue line with several key defensemen sidelined. Most notably, Victor Hedman remains day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after missing Tuesday’s practice. The Norris Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup champion is Tampa Bay’s most important defenseman, averaging over 23 minutes per game and quarterbacking their power play.

Ryan McDonagh has been placed on injured reserve after blocking a shot with his left foot against Washington. The former Rangers captain and “Mac Truck” has been a stabilizing force for Tampa Bay since his 2018 trade from New York. His absence removes a crucial penalty-killing presence and veteran leadership from the Lightning’s defensive structure. McDonagh has played in over 1,000 NHL games and brings championship pedigree that cannot easily be replaced.

With these injuries, the Lightning will rely heavily on Erik Cernak to anchor their top pairing alongside Max Crozier. J.J. Moser draws into a significant role, while the pairings of Charle-Edouard D’Astous with Cernak and Emil Lilleberg with Darren Raddysh provide depth. These defensemen must step up against a Rangers team that has scored 29 goals on the road this season, second-best in the NHL.

The Lightning’s defensive depth will be tested by New York’s speed and transition game. Without Hedman’s ability to shut down opposing top lines and McDonagh’s shot-blocking prowess, Tampa Bay will need contributions from their entire defensive corps. The injury situation could provide opportunities for younger players to showcase their abilities in high-leverage situations.

New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup November 12, 2025: Lightning’s goaltending and special teams

Andrei Vasilevskiy will start in net for Tampa Bay, giving the Lightning their best chance to slow down the Rangers’ road attack. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner and Conn Smythe recipient has been Tampa Bay’s backbone for years, and his performance will be magnified given the depleted defensive group in front of him. Vasilevskiy thrives in high-pressure situations and has consistently elevated his game against quality opponents.

Jonas Johansson provides backup support, though the Lightning will rely heavily on Vasilevskiy to maintain their recent winning momentum. The Russian goaltender’s ability to track pucks through traffic and make desperation saves could determine the outcome against a Rangers team that generates significant offensive pressure on the road.

Special teams could play a pivotal role in this matchup. Tampa Bay’s power play, fueled by Kucherov’s playmaking and Guentzel’s finishing ability, ranks among the league’s best. The Lightning must capitalize on any opportunities against a Rangers penalty kill that has been solid but can be vulnerable against elite units. Conversely, New York’s power play features Panarin’s creativity and Fox’s point shots, presenting challenges for a shorthanded unit missing key penalty killers.

Much like their recent success against Vegas, the Lightning will need to leverage their home-ice advantage and overcome their defensive absences through team defense and opportunistic offense. The Rangers’ road prowess meets Tampa Bay’s recent surge, creating a compelling storyline for this mid-November clash.

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This Atlantic Division matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions from their early-season performances. The Rangers have discovered their identity as a road warrior squad, outscoring opponents by 12 goals away from home while finally breaking through with their first home victory. Tampa Bay has rebounded from a sluggish start to win seven of eight, demonstrating the resilience that has defined their organization for over a decade. With key injuries affecting both rosters and momentum on each side, November 12th’s clash promises playoff-caliber intensity and the type of hockey that will define both teams’ seasons moving forward.