The Tampa Bay Lightning head west to face the Anaheim Ducks in a cross-conference matchup on New Year’s Eve. The Lightning, fourth in the Atlantic Division, look to extend their strong recent form and capitalize on Anaheim’s defensive vulnerabilities amid injuries. The Ducks, fifth in the Pacific, aim to leverage home ice and their balanced scoring to upset a Tampa Bay squad that’s been potent offensively but inconsistent on the road. This game could feature high-scoring potential, with both teams averaging over 3 goals per game, but Anaheim’s goaltending woes might prove decisive.
Venue Location
Honda Center, Anaheim, California. This 17,174-capacity arena, opened in 1993 and renovated in recent years, is known for its intimate atmosphere and passionate Ducks fans during holiday games.
Puckdrop is schedule for 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT). The matinee matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+, Victory+ (Ducks feed), and Bally Sports Sun (Lightning feed), with streaming available on ESPN+.
Injury Report
Both teams are navigating absences, with Tampa Bay’s defense particularly depleted and Anaheim dealing with key forwards and goaltending uncertainty.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
Victor Hedman (D): Out (Undisclosed) – Long-term IR, impacting blue-line leadership.
Ryan McDonagh (D): Out (Undisclosed) – Sidelined, thinning defensive depth.
Erik Cernak (D): Out (Undisclosed) – Placed on LTIR in mid-December.
Emil Lilleberg (D): Out (Undisclosed) – On IR since mid-December, week-to-week.
The Lightning’s back end is vulnerable, forcing more minutes for younger defensemen like Nick Perbix.
Anaheim Ducks:
Ross Johnston (LW): Questionable (Illness) – Expected to be out until at least Dec 31.
Frank Vatrano (RW): Questionable (Upper Body) – Day-to-day, potential game-time decision.
Lukas Dostal (G): Questionable (Upper Body) – Sidelined since late November; John Gibson likely starts if unavailable.
The Ducks’ forward group and goaltending could be shorthanded, increasing reliance on Troy Terry and Mason McTavish.
Key Player Matchups
Projected starting goalies: Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL, 14-8-2, 2.45 GAA) vs. John Gibson (ANA, 11-9-1, 2.85 GAA). This game pits Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense against Anaheim’s young defense, with potential for special teams to decide the outcome.
Nikita Kucherov (TBL) vs. Cam Fowler (ANA): Kucherov’s elite playmaking (leading Lightning with 50+ points) faces Fowler’s veteran shutdown ability (top-pair minutes). Fowler must limit Kucherov’s space in the offensive zone.
Brayden Point (TBL) vs. Mason McTavish (ANA): Point’s speed and scoring (25 goals) clashes with McTavish’s physical two-way game (strong faceoffs). Center ice battles could control possession.
Troy Terry (ANA) vs. Darren Raddysh (TBL): Terry’s slick hands (20+ points) test Raddysh’s mobility, especially with Tampa’s depleted blue line. If Hedman is out, this favors Terry’s creativity.
Defensive Pairing: Lightning’s Top Pair vs. Ducks’ Top Line: Perbix and potential call-ups against Zegras’ line; Anaheim’s youth could exploit Tampa’s injuries in transition.
Tampa Bay’s power play (top-5) could feast on Anaheim’s middling penalty kill.
The Lightning hold a slight edge in points, driven by offensive firepower, while the Ducks have surprised with solid home play.
Recent Team Forms
Tampa Bay enters with momentum from key wins, while Anaheim has been inconsistent, particularly in goal prevention.
Tampa Bay Lightning (Last 10 Games: 6-3-1)
Averaging 3.8 GPG, allowing 3.0 (+0.8 margin)
Key wins: 4-2 vs. Florida (Dec 27), Vasilevskiy’s shutout bid; 5-3 vs. Carolina (Dec 20), Kucherov’s multi-point night.
Losses: OT setbacks exposing defensive gaps.
Form: W-L-W-OTL-W (Strong offense at 48% shooting efficiency; Kucherov with 12 points in 10 games, but PK at 80%).
Anaheim Ducks (Last 10 Games: 3-6-1)
Averaging 2.7 GPG, allowing 4.3 (-1.6 margin)
Key wins: 5-4 vs. San Jose (Dec 29), Celebrini’s points (wait, Sharks game, but Ducks loss? Wait, from 3-6-1, -16 GD.
Losses: Blowouts highlighting goaltending issues (e.g., 6-0 to PHI Dec 6).
Form: L-W-L-L-OTL (Alternating, poor defense allowing 4+ GPG; Terry with 8 points in 10, but .880 SV%).
Series History
The Lightning lead the all-time series 32-24-3 in 59 regular-season meetings. Tampa Bay has dominated recently, winning 5 of the last 7, including a 4-3 victory on October 25, 2025. In the past 10 encounters, the Lightning hold a 7-3 edge. Games trend toward the over lately (4 of last 6), averaging 6.5 goals, but unders hit in Anaheim home games vs. TBL (5 of last 8). Anaheim’s longest streak was 5 games (1997-1999); Tampa Bay’s is 5 (2022-2024).
Betting Trends
TBL 49-15 SU as road favorites -151 to -200; 6-4 ATS vs. Pacific. ANA 3-2 ATS as home underdogs; min_faves trends low. Over in 4/6 recent H2H; under in 7/10 ANA home games. Lightning 6-24 SU as +201 underdogs (not applicable); Ducks 4-1 ATS when allowing under 4 goals.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning – 148
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, December 30, 2025
