Dec. 31, 2025, 9:44 a.m. ET

The Tampa Bay Lightning (22-13-3) visit the Anaheim Ducks (21-16-2) in a Wednesday-afternoon clash. Things will get underway at Honda Center in Anaheim, California, at 4 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Lightning vs. Ducks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Season series: Lightning lead 1-0

Tampa Bay, which defeated the Ducks 4-3 at home Oct. 25, is opening a 3-game California swing that wraps around the New Year. The Lightning last played Sunday, earning a 5-4 (Over 7) shootout win over the +102 Montreal Canadiens and winning their fourth straight game.

Anaheim was on the losing side of a 5-4 (Over 6.5) score in its last (Monday vs. +139 San Jose Sharks). The Ducks outshot the Sharks 42-13 in that game but still suffered their fifth loss in their last 6 games (1-4-1). Anaheim has coughed up 4.83 goals per game over that stretch.

Watch the NHL on Fubo!Lightning at Ducks odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:44 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lightning -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Ducks +125 (bet $100 to win $125)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Lightning -1.5 (+155) | Ducks +1.5 (-190)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Lightning at Ducks projected goalies

Andrei Vasilevskiy (14-7-2, 2.30 GAA, .913 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Lukas Dostal (13-9-1, 3.12 GAA, .889 SV%)

Vasilevskiy last played on Saturday when he stopped 24-of-26 pucks in a 4-2 win against the Florida Panthers. That game was on the road where the Bolts’ primary netminder has registered a .917 SV% this season.

Dostal faltered in Monday’s game against San Jose, allowing 4 goals before being lifted after 32 minutes. The 25-year-old has had a dreadful December, posting an .836 SV% in 7 games.

Lightning at Ducks picks and predictionsPrediction

Ducks 4, Lightning 3

The streaky Ducks have played the Bolts tough the last couple years. The last 4 meetings have netted a regulation win for each side plus a pair of Anaheim 1-pointers.

Hockey-reference.com pegs Tampa Bay with a lofty 12% shooting percentage; it’s a good club but one maybe slightly too far out over its skis with a point percentage of .618.

DUCKS (+125) is worth some partial-unit action.

No interest unless the Anaheim outlay were to drop to the -175 range. AVOID.

The Anaheim defense has been leaky of late: the last 6 Ducks’ games have seen the Over go 4-1-1. Expected-goal metrics would say the Anaheim defense will right itself somewhat, but the Ducks’ offense has also posted better analytics than results of late. That tips the scales here, especially against a Tampa club on a scoring binge of late (19 goals in its last 4 games).

The OVER 6.5 (-110) is the value side.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the USA Today Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.

Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose.  While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.  We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site.  Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.

Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.