Game Details
The Tampa Bay Lightning (22-13-3) will take on the Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9) in an interconference matchup. Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (4:00 PM PT).
It will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, the home venue for the Kings.
Broadcast options include ESPN+ for national viewers, FDSW for local coverage, and NHL Network for highlights.
This is the first meeting between the teams this season.
Recent Team Forms
The Lightning are on a five-game winning streak, including a 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in their most recent outing.
Over their last 10 games, Tampa Bay has gone 6-3-1, averaging 3.8 points per game while allowing 3.1. Their offense ranks top-5 league-wide, bolstered by strong power-play conversion at 28%.
The Kings have been inconsistent, losing their last game 2-5 to the Colorado Avalanche.
In their last 10 games, Los Angeles is 4-5-1, scoring 2.8 goals per game but conceding 3.4. Their defense has been solid at home, but they’ve gone 1-4 in their last five overall, with special teams struggling.
| Team | Last 5 Games | Streak | GPG (Last 10) | GA/G (Last 10) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | W-W-W-W-W | W5 | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Los Angeles Kings | L-W-L-L-W | L1 | 2.8 | 3.4 |
Injury Report
The Lightning are dealing with significant defensive absences. Defenseman Victor Hedman is out with an elbow injury (IR, expected return Feb. 1).
Ryan McDonagh is on IR with an undisclosed injury (return Jan. 1), Emil Martinsen Lilleberg is out (undisclosed, IR Jan. 20), and Scott Sabourin is out (undisclosed).
The Kings have no injuries listed heading into the game.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Victor Hedman | Out (IR) | Elbow (Return Feb. 1) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Ryan McDonagh | Out (IR) | Undisclosed (Return Jan. 1) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Emil Martinsen Lilleberg | Out (IR) | Undisclosed (Return Jan. 20) |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Scott Sabourin | Out | Undisclosed |
| Los Angeles Kings | None | – | – |
Key Player Matchups
Defensive injuries for Tampa Bay could expose mismatches against Los Angeles’ forwards.
Nikita Kucherov (Lightning) vs. Drew Doughty (Kings): Kucherov (leading scorer with high points) will test Doughty’s defensive prowess, potentially exploiting gaps in transition.
Brayden Point (Lightning) vs. Anze Kopitar (Kings): Point’s speed and scoring face Kopitar’s two-way play, a center duel that could control the neutral zone.
Andrei Vasilevskiy (Lightning) vs. Darcy Kuemper (Kings): Vasilevskiy (elite SV%) vs. Kuemper, where goaltending could decide amid Tampa’s blue-line issues.
The Kings’ health gives them edges in depth matchups.
Series History
The Lightning hold a strong all-time edge, with a 31-15-2-1 record against the Kings in 49 regular-season meetings (65.3% win rate).
At Crypto.com Arena, Tampa Bay has been competitive on the road. Recently, the Lightning are 2-2-1 in their last five against Los Angeles, including a 4-3 overtime win on March 23, 2024.
Betting Trends
Tampa Bay is 5-3-8 in overtime games this season, while Los Angeles has a 54% implied win probability at home.
The Kings are 2-3 ATS in their last five, and the over has hit in 6 of the last 10 head-to-head meetings.
Game Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning 5.5
Los Angeles Kings – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 31, 2025
