Anaheim Ducks vs Tampa Bay Lightning Picks and Predictions January 5th 2025

Anaheim Ducks vs Tampa Bay Lightning January 5th 2025

The Lightning and Ducks are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The Ducks will host the game at Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. The Lightning are favored by -1.5 goals in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 6.5 goals.

Tampa Bay vs. Anaheim Key Information

• Teams: Lightning at Ducks
• Where: Honda Center Anaheim
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds TB -192 | ANA +160 O/U 6.5

The Lightning Can Win If…

Tampa Bay’s record dropped to 20-14-2 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. The Lightning were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 11 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5 goals.

At one point, the Lightning held a 2-0 lead, but their defense struggled, giving up four goals in the third period alone.

Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning, netting his 7th goal of the season. Brayden Point followed with his 8th goal, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, while Nikita Kucherov scored for the 10th time this year.

Tampa Bay took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. The Lightning registered 4 assists in the game, with Jake Guentzel picking up his 8th assist of the season.

Tampa Bay’s defense struggled late, giving up 7 goals to the Jets, including 4 in the 3rd period. After tying the game at 4-4, the Lightning allowed 3 more goals, 2 of which were empty-netters. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage.

• The Lightning have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Lightning have gone 6-4 straight up. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 7-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 4-6.

The Ducks Can Win If…

With a 4-2 loss to the Blackhawks, the Ducks are now 16-18-4 this season. Anaheim was favored by -1.5 goals and failed to cover the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 6 fell just short of that mark.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, allowing two goals in the first period. The Ducks didn’t score until the third period, when they were already down 3-0.

Anaheim’s offense was held scoreless until the third period in their 4-2 loss to Chicago. Brock McGinn netted his second goal of the season, while Mason McTavish followed with his second, coming on a power play with just four seconds left in the game.

The Ducks fired 39 shots on goal but were hampered by 16 giveaways. Ryan Strome picked up his fourth assist of the season, and Troy Terry added his fifth assist on McTavish’s late power-play goal.

Anaheim’s defense struggled early, giving up two goals in the first period and another late in the second, all before the Ducks got on the board. Two of those goals came on the power play, and the defense also allowed a late goal at 17:43 in the third period. Lukas Dostal finished with 25 saves and an 86.2% save percentage.

• Anaheim will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. Against the spread, the team is 3-0 in these same games while going 1-2 on the over/under.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Ducks have gone 6-4 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 7-3, while posting an over-under record of 4-6.

The Lean

For those seeking a straight moneyline bet, the Lightning are the top choice. Nonetheless, with a payout of -192, you might want to use this bet as a part of a parlay to get better odds.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Ducks to cover. Even if the Lightning secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Ducks should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Ducks Exude Swagger Ahead of Clash with Lightning

The Anaheim Ducks have been turning heads in the NHL with their recent performances, taking down top-tier teams and building momentum as they prepare to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Sunday’s game marks the end of Tampa Bay’s California road trip, promising a high-stakes showdown between a surging Ducks squad and a Lightning team searching for answers.

Troy Terry Shines as Anaheim’s Offensive Catalyst

A key figure in Anaheim’s recent success is right winger Troy Terry. Emerging as a top offensive talent during his breakout 2021-22 season, Terry has continued to deliver for the Ducks. With 13 goals and 18 assists this season, he leads Anaheim in all major scoring categories. His chemistry with linemates Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome has been electric, particularly during a recent three-game winning streak where Terry tallied four goals and two assists, including a thrilling overtime winner against the Winnipeg Jets.

This offensive spark has fueled Anaheim’s resilience. The Ducks have developed a reputation for rallying in critical moments, winning seven games in the third period and overcoming multi-goal deficits four times—second best in the league.

Terry attributes this newfound grit to the team’s confidence.

“The difference this year is the belief we have in ourselves,” he said. “We’ve built a mindset that no matter how the game unfolds, we can fight our way back.”

Resilient Ducks Meet Lightning Struggles

Despite their growing swagger, the Ducks couldn’t extend their streak against Edmonton, falling to the Oilers in a late-game heartbreaker on Friday. Leon Draisaitl’s goal with just 95 seconds remaining sealed Anaheim’s fate in a 3-2 loss.

Meanwhile, the Lightning have hit a rough patch. After five consecutive wins against the Ducks in their head-to-head history, Tampa Bay arrives in Anaheim on a three-game skid. Saturday’s narrow 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings extended their struggles, with frustration evident in the post-game reactions.

“It’s frustrating, especially when we felt we controlled parts of the game,” said Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Victor Hedman, who recently returned from an injury scare, provided a brief spark by scoring on Tampa Bay’s first shot against the Kings. Yet the Lightning’s offensive consistency remains a concern.

Goaltending Matchup Looms Large

Goaltending could play a pivotal role in Sunday’s clash. While Anaheim has relied on their collective grit, Tampa Bay has leaned on backup Jonas Johansson during Andrei Vasilevskiy’s inconsistent stretch. Johansson has shown flashes of brilliance, posting a .966 save percentage across three standout starts before a rough outing against the Canadiens. His reliability will be tested against Anaheim’s balanced attack.

For the Ducks, maintaining their “swagger” and capitalizing on Tampa Bay’s struggles will be critical. If Terry and his linemates continue their red-hot form, Anaheim could build on their growing reputation as giant slayers in the NHL.

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A Game of Momentum and Confidence

Sunday’s contest offers a fascinating contrast in narratives. The Ducks, buoyed by confidence and resilience, face a Lightning team eager to reclaim their form and snap their losing streak. Both squads will bring intensity, making this matchup a compelling chapter in the NHL season.

The stage is set for an enthralling duel at the Honda Center, where the Ducks’ belief in their own comeback prowess may collide with a desperate Tampa Bay team seeking redemption.