The Tampa Bay Lightning (23-16-3) will host the Anaheim Ducks (18-21-5) at Amalie Arena on Thursday night in what promises to be an intriguing interconference matchup.
The Lightning, who lead the NHL in scoring with 3.64 goals per game, are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 6-2 loss to Boston, while the Ducks enter the contest having lost four of their last five games.
Recent history between these teams heavily favors Tampa Bay, who have won eight of the last ten meetings, though Anaheim did secure a surprising 4-1 victory in their first encounter this season on January 5.
The Lightning's home record of 13-6-1 at Amalie Arena could prove decisive, especially considering the Ducks' ongoing offensive struggles, ranking last in the league with just 2.41 goals per game.
Both teams are dealing with injury concerns, as the Ducks continue without Trevor Zegras (knee), while the Lightning are monitoring Ryan McDonagh's status after he suffered a facial injury in their previous game.
This clash between the offensive powerhouse Lightning and the defensively-minded Ducks sets up an interesting contrast in styles that could determine which team emerges victorious in this cross-conference battle.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Anaheim Ducks: who will win?
For tonight's Tampa Bay Lightning vs Anaheim Ducks matchup, our predictive model gives the Lightning a 60.33% chance of defeating the Ducks.
Tampa Bay Lightning: 60.33% win probability
- Superior offensive efficiency (153 goals scored in 42 games)
- Better goal differential (+34 compared to Ducks' -30)
- Higher win percentage (23 wins in 42 games vs Ducks' 18 in 44)
Anaheim Ducks: 39.67% win probability
- Poor defensive record (138 goals against in 44 games)
- Struggling recent form (LWLLL in last 5 games)
- Low scoring efficiency (108 goals in 44 games, 2.45 goals per game)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Anaheim Ducks odds
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Anaheim Ducks | |
|---|---|---|
| moneyline | -300 (via BetMGM Sportsbook) | +245 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) |
Key stats
- 1The Tampa Bay Lightning have won 23 out of 42 matches this season.
- 2The Anaheim Ducks have won 18 out of 44 matches this season.
- 3With 49 points, the Tampa Bay Lightning holds the 6th position in the league standings.
- 4Anaheim Ducks's 41 points place them 12th in the rankings.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Anaheim Ducks form
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Anaheim Ducks head to head
Tampa Bay Lightning
83%
Anaheim Ducks
17%
Jan 6, 2025
Anaheim Ducks
4 : 1
Tampa Bay Lightning
Mar 25, 2024
Anaheim Ducks
2 : 3
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jan 14, 2024
Tampa Bay Lightning
5 : 1
Anaheim Ducks
Feb 22, 2023
Tampa Bay Lightning
6 : 1
Anaheim Ducks
Oct 27, 2022
Anaheim Ducks
2 : 4
Tampa Bay Lightning
Apr 14, 2022
Tampa Bay Lightning
4 : 3
Anaheim Ducks
