The Tampa Bay Lightning head to T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night for a rematch with the Vegas Golden Knights, looking to avenge their narrow 2-1 defeat from just 11 days earlier. Both teams enter this clash at different points in their season arcs—the Lightning seeking to rebound after seeing their impressive five-game winning streak snapped by Colorado, while Vegas aims to build momentum following a solid 1-0 shutout victory over Detroit. With the puck dropping at 10 p.m. ET, this November 6 matchup features significant lineup adjustments on both sides that could reshape the competitive dynamics between these two perennial contenders.
The Lightning’s 6-5-2 record has them sitting in a respectable position early in the campaign, though inconsistency remains a concern. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights at 7-2-3 have navigated early-season challenges, including injuries to key personnel, to maintain their position among the Western Conference’s elite. Thursday’s contest will test both team’s depth and tactical flexibility as coaches Jon Cooper and Bruce Cassidy navigate roster limitations and strategic decisions.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Tampa Bay’s forward configurations
The Lightning will likely deploy an 11-forward, 7-defenseman lineup for the second consecutive game, a strategic adjustment that Jon Cooper utilized in the Colorado matchup. This configuration reflects Tampa Bay’s ongoing adaptation to the upper-body injury that has sidelined Nick Paul, forcing the coaching staff to maximize their defensive depth while maintaining offensive threat.
The top line remains intact with Brandon Hagel, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov forming one of the NHL’s most dynamic trios. Kucherov already has nine points this season with three goals and six assists, demonstrating his continued elite playmaking ability. Point centers this unit with his exceptional two-way capabilities, while Hagel provides the forechecking intensity and net-front presence that makes this combination so difficult to defend against. This line’s chemistry was evident during the recent winning streak and will be crucial against Vegas’s restructured forward lines.
The second line features Jake Guentzel alongside Anthony Cirelli and Gage Goncalves. Guentzel brings championship pedigree and finishing ability, having transitioned smoothly into the Lightning’s system after his offseason acquisition. Cirelli, Tampa Bay’s top points scorer with nine points (five goals, four assists), continues to excel in his shutdown role while contributing offensively. The inclusion of Goncalves on this unit provides an opportunity for the younger forward to showcase his skills alongside proven veterans.
On the third and fourth lines, Oliver Bjorkstrand centers Dominic James and Pontus Holmberg, while Zemgus Girgensons pairs with Yanni Gourde. This depth configuration allows Tampa Bay to roll four competitive lines despite personnel limitations. Gourde’s familiarity with Vegas from his previous tenure there adds an intriguing subplot, as the veteran forward understands the Golden Knights’ systems and tendencies better than most opponents.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Vegas’s forward line shuffle
The Golden Knights are implementing significant forward line adjustments for Thursday’s contest, most notably the integration of recently-acquired Mitch Marner onto the top line with Jack Eichel and Ivan Barbashev. This high-powered combination places three elite talents together, with Marner’s exceptional playmaking complementing Eichel’s dynamic two-way dominance. Barbashev provides the physical presence and finishing touch that makes this trio formidable from multiple angles.
The reshuffling extends to the second line, where Brett Howden moves to left wing alongside William Karlsson and Reilly Smith. Karlsson scored Vegas’s lone goal in their previous meeting with Tampa Bay on October 26, and he’ll be motivated to duplicate that success. This line’s defensive reliability combined with offensive upside gives Vegas a strong two-way presence through their top six forwards.
Brandon Saad drops to the third line with Tomas Hertl and Pavel Dorofeyev, creating a unit with size, skill, and scoring touch. Saad’s veteran presence stabilizes this group, while Hertl’s playmaking and Dorofeyev’s emerging offensive abilities provide secondary scoring punch. This depth will be tested against Tampa Bay’s structured defensive approach.
The fourth line features Cole Reinhardt, Colton Sissons, and Keegan Kolesar—a combination built for energy, physicality, and responsible defensive zone coverage. This unit’s ability to wear down opponents and create momentum shifts through forechecking and hitting could prove crucial in a potentially tight contest. Alexander Holtz remains scratched despite his offensive potential, indicating Bruce Cassidy’s confidence in the current lineup configuration.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Defensive pairings and strategies
Tampa Bay’s blue line showcases both experience and youth, headlined by the Victor Hedman-J.J. Moser pairing. Hedman, the Norris Trophy winner and perennial All-Star, anchors the Lightning defense with his complete skill set—elite skating, powerful shot, and exceptional hockey IQ. Moser provides mobility and offensive instincts that complement Hedman’s dominance, creating a top pairing capable of matching up against Vegas’s most dangerous forwards.
The second pairing reunites Ryan McDonagh with Erik Cernak, two defenders intimately familiar with each other from their championship seasons together. McDonagh’s cerebral approach and positioning excellence pairs beautifully with Cernak’s physical, stay-at-home style. This combination excels at shutting down opponents in the defensive zone while making clean breakout passes to transition quickly to offense. Their experience in high-pressure situations provides stability through the middle of Tampa Bay’s defensive rotation.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Emil Lilleberg form the third pairing, with Max Crozier serving as the seventh defenseman. This depth configuration allows Cooper flexibility in managing ice time and matchups throughout the game. The 11-forward, 7-defenseman setup requires these defenders to be prepared for increased responsibility if needed. Darren Raddysh remains scratched, indicating Cooper’s satisfaction with the current defensive corps despite the unconventional roster structure.
Vegas counters with their own formidable defensive group led by Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore. Theodore’s offensive creativity and powerplay quarterbacking make him one of the league’s most dangerous defenders in transition. McNabb provides the physical counterbalance, using his size and defensive acumen to protect the slot and win puck battles along the boards.
Noah Hanifin and Zach Whitecloud form the second pairing, combining Hanifin’s smooth skating and puck-moving abilities with Whitecloud’s gritty defensive reliability. Jeremy Lauzon and Kaedan Korczak round out the defensive rotation on the third pairing, with Carl Lindblom serving as the extra defender. Ben Hutton’s scratch suggests the Golden Knights are comfortable with their current six-man defensive alignment. The absence of Alex Pietrangelo due to injury has required Vegas to distribute his minutes across their remaining defenders, testing the depth that general manager Kelly McCrimmon has assembled.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Goaltending matchup and expectations
Andrei Vasilevskiy gets the starting nod for Tampa Bay, continuing his role as the Lightning’s undisputed number-one netminder. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner and Conn Smythe recipient has been the backbone of Tampa Bay’s success for nearly a decade. Through the first 13 games of the season, Vasilevskiy has demonstrated his characteristic ability to steal games with spectacular saves while providing the calm presence that allows his teammates to play with confidence.
Vasilevskiy’s track record against Vegas has been generally strong throughout his career, though the Golden Knights’ speed and skilled forwards always present challenges. His ability to read plays developing through the neutral zone and position himself optimally before shots arrive will be tested by Vegas’s restructured forward lines. The addition of Marner to Eichel’s line creates new looks that Vasilevskiy hasn’t faced, requiring quick adjustments and communication with his defense corps.
Jonas Johansson serves as backup for Tampa Bay, providing reliable insurance should anything unexpected occur. The Swedish netminder has performed capably in his opportunities this season, giving Cooper confidence in his depth between the pipes. After facing 30-plus shots in recent games during the Lightning’s winning streak, Vasilevskiy will need another strong performance to help Tampa Bay secure a road victory in a difficult building.
Vegas will counter with Akira Schmid in goal, as Adin Hill remains out with a lower-body injury. Schmid’s performance has been crucial for the Golden Knights navigating Hill’s absence, and his 1-0 shutout victory over Detroit showcased his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. The young goaltender faces a significant test against Tampa Bay’s skilled offensive attack, particularly the Kucherov-Point-Hagel combination that can generate chances from anywhere in the offensive zone.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Key matchups and tactical considerations
The battle between Tampa Bay’s top line and Vegas’s revamped defensive pairings will likely determine the game’s outcome. Kucherov’s ability to find shooting lanes and create opportunities for his linemates requires constant attention, and Vegas must prevent him from operating freely in his preferred areas of the ice. The Lightning have shown throughout their recent success that when Kucherov gets going offensively, the entire team elevates its performance.
Vegas’s integration of Marner onto their top line presents Tampa Bay with new challenges. Marner’s elite vision and passing ability combined with Eichel’s explosive skating and shooting creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Hedman and his defensive partners will need to maintain gap control through the neutral zone and prevent clean zone entries, forcing Vegas to dump pucks and engage in board battles where Tampa Bay’s physical defenders excel.
Special teams could prove decisive in what projects as a tightly contested matchup. Tampa Bay’s powerplay, featuring Kucherov, Point, Hedman, and other elite weapons, ranks among the league’s most dangerous. Just as the Lightning managed their special teams effectively in their recent road games, discipline will be paramount against a Golden Knights penalty kill that has performed well despite personnel changes.
Vegas’s powerplay benefits from Theodore’s point presence and the creativity of their forward units. With Marner now available to operate on the man advantage, the Golden Knights possess even more offensive firepower with the extra skater. Tampa Bay’s penalty kill, structured around shot blocking and aggressive stick work, must maintain its recent form to prevent Vegas from gaining momentum through special teams success.
Lightning vs Golden Knights projected lineup November 6 2025: Injury impacts and lineup depth
Tampa Bay’s management of Nick Paul’s upper-body injury has necessitated the unconventional 11-forward, 7-defenseman approach. Paul’s absence removes a versatile two-way forward capable of playing up and down the lineup while contributing on penalty kill units. His physical style and forechecking intensity are missed, but the Lightning’s organizational depth has allowed them to adapt without catastrophic results. Jack Finley remains scratched as the extra forward, waiting for his opportunity should Cooper return to a traditional 12-forward alignment.
Vegas faces more significant injury challenges with both Mark Stone and Adin Hill sidelined. Stone’s upper-body injury removes the Golden Knights’ captain and arguably their most complete forward—a player who excels in all situations and provides leadership both on and off the ice. When Vegas faced Tampa Bay previously, Stone’s presence was felt throughout the lineup, and his absence creates a void that’s difficult to fill despite the roster’s impressive depth.
Hill’s lower-body injury forced Vegas to lean on Schmid, who has responded admirably but lacks the playoff experience and proven track record that Hill provides. The goaltending situation bears monitoring as the season progresses, particularly if Hill’s absence extends beyond the short term. Alex Pietrangelo’s continued unavailability on defense further tests Vegas’s depth, though the Golden Knights have assembled defensive personnel capable of absorbing increased responsibility.
The injury situations reveal each team’s organizational philosophy—Tampa Bay’s championship core remains largely intact, allowing them to weather short-term absences through tactical adjustments, while Vegas’s aggressive roster construction leaves them vulnerable when key pieces miss time. Both teams’ ability to next-man-up through adversity will be tested as the season unfolds, with Thursday’s game providing another data point in evaluating their respective depth and resilience.
Thursday night’s matchup between the Lightning and Golden Knights represents more than just a regular-season contest between two talented teams. It’s a measuring stick game for both franchises—Tampa Bay seeking to prove their championship window remains open despite aging core pieces, while Vegas continues establishing itself as a perennial Western Conference powerhouse despite roster turnover and injury challenges. The tactical adjustments on both sides, from Tampa Bay’s 11-forward lineup to Vegas’s forward line shuffle incorporating Marner, add layers of intrigue that extend beyond simple box score analysis.
As the puck drops at T-Mobile Arena, both teams understand the value of securing two points in early November, even as the playoff race remains months away. Tampa Bay needs to prove their recent winning streak wasn’t an aberration but rather a preview of sustained excellence, while Vegas must demonstrate the depth and adaptability required to navigate the grueling 82-game schedule. Vasilevskiy versus Schmid, Kucherov versus Theodore, Cooper versus Cassidy—the matchups within the matchup provide compelling theater for hockey fans. This projected lineup analysis offers a roadmap for understanding the strategic decisions that will shape the game’s narrative, but ultimately, the players will determine the outcome through sixty minutes of high-level NHL hockey.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.