Lightning vs Ducks Prediction 12/31/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Ducks prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, December 31st at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 22-13-3 this season after they defeated Montreal in a shootout by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Tampa Bay led 3-0 and 4-1 in the third period, but they blew the lead with four seconds left in regulation, before getting the win in the shootout. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 35-21, won 37.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Holmberg, Kucherov (2), and Paul, while Johansson stopped 31 out of 35 shots, which was an .886 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Panthers by a score of 4-2 and the Blues by a score of 4-1. The Lightning have won four games in a row and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 47 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.29 goals per game and they have allowed 2.63 goals against per game, while also going 17.1% on the power play and 85.3% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 17 goals and 32 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 18 goals and 21 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 14-7-2 with a 2.30 goals against average and a .915 save percentage this season. 

Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview

The Anaheim Ducks are 21-16-2 this year after they lost to San Jose by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Anaheim trailed 4-1 in the second period, but they fought back and nearly tied the game late in the third. The Ducks out shot San Jose by a total of 42-13, won 55.2% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Anaheim got goals from Gauthier, Terry (2), and Mintyukov, while Dostal stopped five out of nine shots and Mrazek stopped three out of four. 

Prior to that game, Anaheim lost to the Kings by a score of 6-1 and the Kraken by a score of 3-1. The Ducks have lost five of their last six games and they are currently third in the Pacific standings with 44 points. Anaheim has scored 3.33 goals per game and they have allowed 3.51 goals against per game, while also going 16.7% on the power play and 75.8% on the penalty kill this season. Leo Carlsson has led Anaheim with 17 goals and 25 assists, while Cutter Gauthier has added 19 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for Anaheim is Lukas Dostal, who is 13-9-1 with a 3.12 goals against average and an .889 save percentage this year. 

Why the Anaheim Ducks will win

• The Ducks have won each of their last nine games at Honda Center following a home loss.
• The Lightning have lost five of their last seven games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Ducks have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four day games after coming off a shootout.
• The Lightning have lost the first period in each of their last three road games against Pacific Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Ducks’ last six games at Honda Center following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Lightning’s last four games after coming off a shootout have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Ducks’ last nine home games.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last six road games following a shootout loss.

Anaheim Ducks Player Prop Facts

• Troy Terry has scored a goal in each of the Ducks’ last three games as underdogs against the Lightning.
• Troy Terry has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Ducks’ last eight games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Nikita Kucherov has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Lightning’s last eight day games.

Lightning vs Ducks Prediction 

Tampa Bay comes into this contest looking for their fifth win in a row and they have scored at least four goals in all four wins. The Lightning are 11-4-3 on the road this year, while the Ducks are 12-7-0 at home. Anaheim has really struggled over the last three weeks and they have allowed 11 goals in their last two games. The Ducks have had defense and goaltending issues all season, but they are very talented offensively and I think they have some great value here. Take the Ducks and the plus money.

David Racey's Pick: Ducks ML