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Tampa Bay (22-13-3) at Anaheim (21-16-2)
- When: Dec 31 2025, 4:00 PM
- Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, USA
- TV: The Spot
Tampa Bay vs Anaheim NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Tampa Bay -142
Spread: Tampa Bay -1.5 (+170)
Total: 6.5
Anaheim Ducks Betting Breakdown
The Ducks are wrapping up 2025 the same way most people wrap up a bad New Years party wondering where it all went wrong and why there are so many empty shots. Anaheim has dropped three straight and is desperately searching for cleaner hockey, fewer turnovers, and maybe a puck that actually wants to go in the net.
Against San Jose last time out, Anaheim absolutely owned the puck. Forty two shots. Total control. Forecheck buzzing. The Sharks goalie basically needed a packed lunch. And yet somehow the Ducks still lost 5 to 4 because hockey loves chaos and Anaheim loves self inflicted wounds. Goaltending was rough early, relief came late, and the scoreboard refused to cooperate.
The silver lining came from unexpected places. With Radko Gudas and Ross Johnston out sick, Nikita Nesterenko finally escaped the press box after thirteen games of emotional bench warming. He jumped right in, skated with confidence, grabbed an assist, and looked like someone who remembered what ice time feels like. Cutter Gauthier continues to be the most reliable Duck in the pond, leading the team in goals while Leo Carlsson quietly racks up points like he is allergic to attention.
Anaheim’s issue is simple. They generate chances but finish like someone trying to text while wearing oven mitts. Against a red hot Tampa Bay team, that is a dangerous lifestyle choice.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Breakdown
Tampa Bay arrives surfing a four game win streak and feeling like a team that knows exactly how to steal points even when they do not deserve them. Their most recent win against Montreal was pure Lightning nonsense. They looked tired, sluggish, and mildly confused for large chunks of the game. Still, they built a three goal lead, nearly lost it in spectacular fashion, then calmly walked away with two points like nothing happened.
Jon Cooper probably aged five years during that game, but two points are two points. Nikita Kucherov continues to do Nikita Kucherov things. He is piling up goals, assists, and frustration for opposing defenses while casually leading the offense like it is a light workout. Tampa Bay has also rediscovered depth scoring and defensive structure at the right time, which is never good news for struggling opponents.
The Lightning already beat Anaheim earlier this season and they remember last year’s loss in this building. That memory alone is enough motivation for a veteran team that hates repeating mistakes.
Betting Outlook and Final Word
Tampa Bay comes in as the Moneyline favorite at minus 142 and that number makes sense. Anaheim plays hard but mistakes pile up fast. Tampa Bay is built to punish every single one of them. The total sits at 6.5 and with both teams capable of trading goals and defensive lapses, scoring should not be shy.
Anaheim will push early and fire pucks from everywhere. Tampa Bay will stay patient, wait for breakdowns, and strike with surgical precision. This feels like a game where effort keeps it close early but experience decides it late.
Score Prediction: Lightning 4, Ducks 3
Pick: Tampa Bay (-142)
Total: Over 6.5 (-112)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
