Kings vs Lightning Prediction 12/18/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Kings vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, December 18th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Los Angeles Kings Betting Preview

The Los Angeles Kings are 14-10-9 this season after they lost to Florida by a score of 3-2 on Wednesday night. Los Angeles led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed the next three goals and couldn’t recover in the close loss. The Kings out shot Florida by a total of 29-28, won 53.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Los Angeles got goals from Armia and Fiala, while Forsberg stopped 25 out of 28 shots, which was an .893 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Los Angeles lost to the Stars by a score of 4-1 and the Flames by a score of 2-1. The Kings have lost four games in a row and they are currently fourth in the Pacific standings with 37 points. Los Angeles has scored 2.59 goals per game and they have allowed 2.53 goals against per game, while also going 14.3% on the power play and 80% on the penalty kill this season. Adrian Kempe has led LA with 11 goals and 17 assists, while Kevin Fiala has added 12 goals and 11 assists. The projected starting goalie for Los Angeles is Phoenix Copley, who is making his first start for the Kings this season. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 18-12-3 this year after they lost to Florida by a score of 5-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay cut the deficit from 4-0 to 4-2, but couldn’t find anymore offense in the loss. The Lightning out shot Florida by a total of 28-24, won 53.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Crozier and Moser, while Johansson stopped 19 out of 24 shots, which was a .792 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay lost to the Islanders by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Devils by a score of 8-4 before that. The Lightning have split their last four games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 39 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.21 goals per game and they have allowed 2.64 goals against per game, while also going 17.3% on the power play and 85.0% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 13 goals and 29 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 15 goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 11-6-2 with a 2.31 goals against average and a .917 save percentage this year. 

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Lightning have won each of their last nine games against the Kings at Benchmark International Arena.
• The Kings have lost 10 of their last 11 night games at Benchmark International Arena.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in six of their last seven games against the Kings.
• The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six night games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Kings have lost the third period in six of their last seven games as road underdogs when leading after the second period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Kings’ last four games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Lightning’s last four night games against the Kings following a loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last four games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last six games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Darren Raddysh has scored at least one goal in three of the Lightning’s last four games.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one point in each of his last 14 home appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
• Brandon Hagel has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Lightning’s last eight games against Pacific Division opponents.

Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts

• Alex Laferriere has recorded a point in each of the Kings’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
• Kevin Fiala has recorded an assist in four of his last five appearances at Benchmark International Arena.
• Kevin Fiala has scored a goal in three of the Kings’ last four road games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Kings vs Lightning Prediction 

Los Angeles comes into this matchup looking to snap their four game losing streak, but they have scored two goals or fewer in all four losses and they are on a back to back. The Kings are 10-4-5 on the road this year, while the Lightning are 8-8-0 at home. Tampa Bay has lost two games in a row and they have allowed 11 goals in their last three. The Lightning have been inconsistent with their offense recently, but they get Vasilevskiy back from injury and they should be fine against this Kings team on a back to back. Take TB -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Lightning -1.5