Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Tampa Bay Lightning taking on the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim, CA. Don\u2019t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025\u201326 season.<\/p>\n
NHL Predictions Overview<\/p>\n
Time: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n
How to watch: The Spot, Victory+, KCOP-13<\/p>\n
Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA<\/p>\n
2025\u201326 Season Series: Lightning 1, Ducks 0<\/p>\n
Overview<\/p>\n
The Lightning (22-13-3, 3rd in the Atlantic) hit the Pacific for a non-divisional clash with the Ducks (21-16-2, 3rd in the Pacific). Tampa won the lone matchup this year 4\u20133; a game that saw Nikita Kucherov<\/a> reach 1,000 career NHL points and Anthony Cirelli<\/a> shine with a three-point night.\u00a0 Anaheim has been up and down but boasts offence and crafty forwards who can turn a boring Tuesday into a \u201cTaco Tuesday\u201d special night.<\/p>\n Tampa Bay Lightning \u2013 Last Game<\/p>\n NHL Predictions likes that the Bolts are riding a four-game winning streak, having outlasted the Canadians 5-4 in the shootout. Nikita Kucherov scored twice and Gage Goncalves<\/a> added two assists. Montreal rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 in the third to steal a point.\u00a0Anaheim is trending in a less sparkly direction, dropping five of their last six games after a 5-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks, where Troy Terry<\/a> and Cutter Gauthier<\/a> each had multi-point nights but the team couldn\u2019t close it out.\u00a0 <\/p>\n Tampa Bay Lightning Outlook<\/p>\n Tampa Bay\u2019s season has been a mix of shiny moments and eyebrow-raising inconsistencies.\u00a0The Lightning are winning more often than not when they score three or more goals. Offensively, Nikita Kucherov has been carrying the mail lately. His chemistry with linemates like Jake Guentzel<\/a> and Anthony Cirelli is critical in tight games.\u00a0 Goaltending remains solid overall, with Tampa sporting one of the better road records in the league. However, the defence will need tightening. Tampa has allowed enough odd-man rushes this season to qualify as an Uber category. Reducing turnovers and cutting down high-danger chances against will be necessary if they want to leave Anaheim with a W.<\/p>\n Keys to Victory \u2013 Tampa Bay<\/p>\n NHL Predictions thinks Tampa remains a top-tier road team (11-4-3 away this season). Score early and keep scoring. The Lighting needs to avoid slow starts. Anaheim thrives on chaos and can make a game ugly if Tampa cedes momentum early. Limit careless penalties: Staying off the penalty kill will keep the Ducks\u2019 transition attack from getting easy looks, especially since Anaheim isn\u2019t afraid to jump into lanes and create offence off the rush.<\/p>\n Anaheim Ducks Outlook<\/p>\n