Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction 1/1/2026 Today’s NHL Picks
Chris Ruffolo
Dec 13, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (30) makes a save on Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) during shoot outs at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Tampa Bay Lightning
Los Angeles Kings
Team Records
23-13-3
16-13-9
Spread
+1.5 -238
-1.5 195
Moneyline
+105
-125
Total
Over 5.5 (-120)
Under 5.5 (100)
Where
crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time
07:00 PM EST
TV
ESPN+
The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings meet Thursday in NHL action from the Crypto.com Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Los Angeles Kings prediction.
Tampa Bay Lightning Recap
The Tampa Bay Lightning come into this game looking to add on to their 4-3 OT win over the Anaheim Ducks last time out to sit at 23-13-3 this season. After this game, Tampa Bay will head on the road again for a game against the San Jose Sharks.
Lightning Win 5 In A Row
Nikita Kucherov leads the Lightning in scoring with 51 points including 18 goals and 33 assists while Brandon Hagel has 34 points with 18 goals and 16 assists and Jake Guentzel has 39 points with 18 goals and 21 assists. Anthony Cirelli has 22 points with 10 goals and 12 assists. Darren Raddysh has also added 29 points with 9 goals and 20 assists as well on the year. Andrei Vasilevskiy has gone 15-7-2 with a 2.33 GAA and a .914 save percentage while Jonas Johansson is 8-6-1 with a 2.82 GAA and an .897 save percentage this season.
Los Angeles Kings Recap
The Los Angeles Kings come into this game looking to bounce back from their 5-2 loss at the hands of Colorado last time out to sit at 16-13-9 this season. After this game, the Kings will head home for a game against the Minnesota Wild.
Kings Drop 7 Of Last 9
Adrian Kempe leads the Kings with 32 points including 13 goals and 19 assists while Quinton Byfield has 21 points with 5 goals and 16 assists this season. Kevin Fiala’s added 25 points with 13 goals and 12 assists while Corey Perry has 17 points with 8 goals and 9 assists and Brandt Clarke’s added 18 points with 5 goals and 13 assists this season. Anze Kopitar has 20 points with 6 goals and 14 assists while Joel Edmundsson’s had 14 points with 12 assists. Alex Laferriere also has 18 points with 10 goals and 8 assists. Darcy Kuemper’s gone 10-6-6 with a 2.19 GAA and a .917 save percentage while Anton Forsberg’s 6-6-3 with a 2.70 GAA and a .901 save percentage in goal for the Kings this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Los Angeles Kings Betting Trends: January 1, 2026
Why the Los Angeles Kings will win
The Kings have won each of their last six day games at Crypto.com Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
The Lightning have lost eight of their last 10 road games following a road win.
The Kings have covered the puck line in each of their last seven day games at Crypto.com Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Pacific Division opponents.
The Lightning have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games as road underdogs against Western Conference opponents when leading after the first period.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
The Kings have lost seven of their last eight games as home favorites following a road loss.
The Lightning have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
The Kings have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine home games following a road loss.
The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs.
The Kings have lost the second period in each of their last six games when leading after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
Seven of the Kings’ last eight home games following a road loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
Five of the Lightning’s last six road games following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Kings’ last eight home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last seven games.
Los Angeles Kings Player Prop Facts
Kevin Fiala has scored at least one goal in four of the Kings’ last five day games.
Drew Doughty has recorded at least one assist in seven of his last eight appearances in day games.
Adrian Kempe ranks T2nd in the league for Game Winning Goals (5) this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
Brandon Hagel has recorded at least one assist in eight of his last nine appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
Nikita Kucherov has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
Charle-Edouard D’Astous has recorded three hits against the Kings this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
The Los Angeles Kings rank 32nd in the league in power play percentage this season (14.41%).
The Los Angeles Kings rank 2nd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.55).
The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 3rd in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.85%).
The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of only three teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Los Angeles Kings Prediction
I’m on the Lightning here. I just think the Lightning are in better form and even on a back-to-back, I still like Jonas Johansson as one of the more capable backups in the NHL. The Kings aren’t in a good vibe right now, and I think that the Bolts add to their misery here. Give me the Lightning.
