Coming into the season, the betting markets had both the Leafs (+1600) and Lightning (+1100) among the Eastern Conference favourites to win the Stanley Cup.
The Lightning have lived up to those expectations; the Leafs, quite frankly, have not.
No one can put their finger on what's up with the Buds. Yeah, Mitch Marner is no longer with the team, but that's opened the door for William Nylander to have a breakout season. Auston Mathews is off to a slower start by his standards, but John Taraves has turned back the clock and is making a case to maybe be an Olympian this February.
For every negative you can find with Toronto, there's a positive to point to — although when you look at the record, Leafs fans don't want to hear about any of the positives, they just want results.
A home game against the Lightning on Monday Night Hockey may not be what the doctor ordered, but stranger things have turned seasons around before.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the Leafs-Lightning on Monday Night Hockey.
How to watch Leafs vs. Lightning today
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: Prime Monday Night Hockey
The Leafs vs. Lightning game won't be available on traditional TV broadcasts. Fans looking to watch the action can tune in on Prime Monday Night Hockey.
John Forslund will have the call and will likely be joined by analysts Jody Shelley, Thomas Hickey or Shane Hnidy. Adnan Virk will host and Andi Petrillo will also contribute to the on-air team.
Leafs vs. Lightning start time
- Date: Monday, Dec. 8
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Puck drop for Leafs vs. Lightning is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Dec. 8. The game will take place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
Leafs vs. Lightning radio station
- Radio station: SiriusXM channel 91
Fans can tune into Leafs vs. Lightning live on SiriusXM channel 91 (Leafs). Lightning fans can tune in online or use the SiriusXM app to listen to their radio announcers call the action.
New subscribers can listen to SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Leafs 2025-26 schedule
Here are Toronto's next five scheduled games:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 8 | vs. Lightning | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 11 | vs. Sharks | 7:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 13 | vs. Oilers | 7:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 16 | vs. Blackhawks | 7:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 18 | at. Captials | 7:00 p.m. |
Lightning 2025-26 schedule
Here are Tampa's next five games:
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 8 | at. Leafs | 7:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 9 | at. Canadiens | 7:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 11 | at. Devils | 7:00 p.m. |
| Dec. 13 | at. Islanders | 3:30 p.m. |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Panthers | 7:00 p.m. |