Photo: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Tampa Bay Lightning (23-13-3) will attempt to continue a five-game win streak when they play the Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9) on the road on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.
Prepare for this matchup by checking out our prediction for who will emerge with the victory in Thursday's hockey action.
The Lightning's offense has put up 41 goals during their past 10 outings, while their defense has given up 28 goals. They have had 37 power-play opportunities during that time, and have scored eight goals (21.6%). They are 7-2-1 over those contests.
Kings vs. Lightning Predictions for Thursday
Our computer projection model for this game expects a final result of Kings 4, Lightning 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Kings (-134)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Lightning (+1.5)
Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.
Kings Splits and Trends
- The Kings are 5-9-14 in overtime matchups on their way to a 16-13-9 overall record.
- Los Angeles has 22 points (9-5-4) in the 18 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- The 10 times this season the Kings finished a game with only one goal, they went 1-7-2 (four points).
- Los Angeles has taken nine points from the 11 games this season when it scored a pair of goals (4-6-1 record).
- The Kings have scored at least three goals in 17 games (11-0-6, 28 points).
- In the 17 games when Los Angeles has recorded a lone power-play goal, it has an 8-6-3 record (19 points).
- In games when it has outshot opponents, Los Angeles is 9-9-5 (23 points).
- The Kings' opponents have had more shots in 14 games. The Kings went 7-3-4 in those contests (18 points).
Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning have a record of 23-13-3 this season and are 5-3-8 in overtime matchups.
- Tampa Bay has earned 16 points (7-7-2) in its 16 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Lightning scored only one goal in three games and they finished 0-2-1 in those matchups.
- When Tampa Bay has scored exactly two goals this season, they've earned eight points (3-5-2 record).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals 24 times, earning 40 points from those matchups (20-4-0).
- This season, Tampa Bay has capitalized on a lone power-play goal in 13 games has a record of 8-3-2 in those matchups.
- When it outshoots its opponent this season, Tampa Bay has posted a record of 7-9-2 (16 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 20 times this season, and earned 31 points in those games.
Looking for NHL tickets? Head to StubHub today and see your team live.
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 | 5th |
| 16th | 28.1 | Shots | 27.4 | 20th |
| 8th | 26.9 | Shots Allowed | 26.8 | 7th |
| 31st | 14.41% | Power Play % | 16.67% | 24th |
| 22nd | 78.29% | Penalty Kill % | 84.85% | 2nd |
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
Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Kings play Lightning.