The Tampa Bay Lightning (23-13-3) will try to prolong a five-game win streak when they take on the Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9) on the road on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Here is our pick for who will secure the win in Thursday's game.
In the past 10 games for the Lightning, their offense has scored 41 goals while their defense has allowed 28 (they have a 7-2-1 record in those games). In 37 power-play opportunities during that time, they have capitalized with eight goals (21.6% conversion rate).
Kings vs. Lightning Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projections model for this matchup predicts a final result of Kings 4, Lightning 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Kings (-123)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Lightning (+1.5)
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Kings Splits and Trends
- The Kings are 5-9-14 in overtime games on their way to a 16-13-9 overall record.
- Los Angeles is 9-5-4 (22 points) in its 18 games decided by one goal.
- Looking at the 10 times this season the Kings ended a game with just one goal, they have a 1-7-2 record, good for four points.
- Los Angeles has finished 4-6-1 in the 11 games this season when it scored exactly two goals (registering nine points).
- The Kings have scored three or more goals 17 times, and are 11-0-6 in those games (to register 28 points).
- In the 17 games when Los Angeles has scored a single power-play goal, it went 8-6-3 to record 19 points.
- In the 23 games when it outshot its opponent, Los Angeles is 9-9-5 (23 points).
- The Kings have been outshot by opponents in 14 games, going 7-3-4 to record 18 points.
Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning have a record of 23-13-3 this season and are 5-3-8 in overtime games.
- Tampa Bay has earned 16 points (7-7-2) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Lightning recorded only one goal in three games and they finished 0-2-1 in those matchups.
- Tampa Bay has earned eight points (3-5-2 record) this season when scoring a pair of goals .
- The Lightning have scored three or more goals 24 times, earning 40 points from those matchups (20-4-0).
- This season, Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal in 13 games has a record of 8-3-2 in those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Tampa Bay is 7-9-2 (16 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 20 games, going 15-4-1 to record 31 points.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Kings Rank | Kings AVG | Lightning AVG | Lightning Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29th | 2.58 | Goals Scored | 3.31 | 5th |
| 2nd | 2.55 | Goals Allowed | 2.64 | 4th |
| 16th | 28.1 | Shots | 27.4 | 20th |
| 9th | 26.9 | Shots Allowed | 26.8 | 8th |
| 32nd | 14.41% | Power Play % | 16.67% | 24th |
| 22nd | 78.29% | Penalty Kill % | 84.85% | 3rd |
Kings vs. Lightning Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California
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