Los Angeles Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, Picks & Odds | 18 Dec 2025

NHL Betting Preview: Kings vs Lightning

The Los Angeles Kings go up against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Benchmark International Arena, with face-off scheduled for 19:00 on Thursday, December 18.

The Lightning should be able to outscore the Kings in 60 minutes and our prediction is to therefore side with the home team on the 3-Way Moneyline. There is a tempting -106 should you wish to follow suit.

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Los Angeles Kings have now lost four straight games. On the road in their previous game, Florida Panthers won 3-2 at Amerant Bank Arena. Kevin Fiala and Joel Armia scored one goal each.

Tampa Bay Lightning have lost on their last three home outings. In a recent game at Benchmark International Arena, they were turned over 5-2 by Florida Panthers. Janis Jerome Moser and Maxwell Crozier scored one goal apiece.

Head-to-Head Statistics

It was a 3-0 win for the Lightning at Benchmark International Arena when they last played the Kings. The past 10 clashes between these teams have seen seven Lightning wins.

Starting Goalies

Pheonix Copley (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	0-0-0	4.4	.833	0
23/24	4-1-1	3.16	.870	1

Andrei Vasilevskiy (Expected)

Season	W-L-OTL:	GAA:	SV%:	SO:
24/25	11-6-2	2.3	.916	1
23/24	30-20-2	2.9	.900	2

3 wins, 4 losses and 3 overtime losses, averaging 2.4 goals from 26.6 shots on goal, with a 12.9% powerplay efficiency. The Kings have been giving up 2.4 goals from 28.1 shots, averaging 3.8 penalties with a penalty-killing efficiency of 79.0%.

Adrian Kempe is the top points scorer with 8 points, 4 goals and 4 assists, with Kevin Fiala recording 7 points, 3 goals and 4 assists, over the past 10 games. Goalie Darcy Kuemper have a 1.91 goal against average with a .933 save percentage, including one shutout.

The Lightning have 4 wins, 5 losses and 1 overtime loss, averaging 3.2 goals from 31.8 shots on goal, with a 14.3% powerplay efficiency. They have conceded 2.6 goals from 25.4 shots, averaging 4.2 penalties per game with a penalty-killing efficiency of 83.3%.

The top points scorer is Nikita Kucherov with 15 points, 2 goals and 13 assists, while Darren Raddysh is next best after registering 14 points, 5 goals and 9 assists. Goalie Jonas Johansson have a 2.39 GAA with a .901 SV%.

Los Angeles Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction & Picks

We bring you the complete Los Angeles Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning betting insight, including our top match prediction, correct score forecast, player prop advice and a ready-made bet builder.

Game Prediction

We’re keeping things simple by backing Tampa Bay Lightning on the 60-minute line. They should get the better of their opponents in this NHL encounter and our pick is available at -106.

We track all injuries that could impact each franchise before making our hockey predictions. The form guide and latest stats also help the Sportsgambler.com team crunch the numbers ahead of the NHL action.

Key Kings vs Lightning stats:

• Lightning have won 12 of their last 20 games.
• Kings have lost their last 4 games.
• Kings have lost 7 of their last 10 games.
• Kings have lost 11 of their last 20 games.
• Lightning have won 7 of their last 10 games against Kings.

Lightning 3-Way Moneyline Probability

The odds at the top betting apps suggest our pick has a 51.5% chance of winning. However, our analysts have this figure closer to 60% based on their in-depth research. That means we’re regarding it as a value wager.

For a bigger return on investment, bettors often wager Match Winner & Total Goals to get bigger odds for Tampa Bay. The Puck Line and Winning Margin are good alternatives.

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Our Game Prediction

Lightning 3-Way Moneyline @ -106 Watch Live Bet Now

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Player Prop Picks

Top Pick: Kevin Fiala Over 2.5 Shots -118

Kevin Fiala (Kings) has totaled Over 2.5 shots on goal in 8 of the past 10 games. Out of all the prop bets available, we’re going to take the -118 when it comes to this Shots on Goal wager.

Latest Kevin Fiala Player Prop Odds

Goals

Anytime

+210

First

+1300

Assists

Over 0.5

+195

Under 0.5

-278

Shots on Goal

Over 2.5

-118

Under 2.5

-115

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Correct Score Prediction

Kings 2 - 3 Lightning

There’s plenty of juice to be found by backing the Lightning to win 3-2. We can’t pass up the odds of +750 when it comes to correct score betting and it’s a fun wager.

Latest Correct Score Odds

Score

Kings

Lightning

1-0

Kings

+5000

Lightning

+4500

2-0

Kings

+5000

Lightning

+4000

2-1

Kings

+1500

Lightning

+1200

3-0

Kings

+4000

Lightning

+2400

3-1

Kings

+2200

Lightning

+1500

3-2

Kings

+950

Lightning

+750

4-0

Kings

+5500

Lightning

+2800

4-1

Kings

+2200

Lightning

+1200

4-2

Kings

+2000

Lightning

+1300

4-3

Kings

+1200

Lightning

+1000

5-0

Kings

+11000

Lightning

+5000

5-1

Kings

+4000

Lightning

+1800

5-2

Kings

+2400

Lightning

+1400

5-3

Kings

+3000

Lightning

+2200

5-4

Kings

+2500

Lightning

+2000

6-0

Kings

+2500

Lightning

+7500

6-1

Kings

+10000

Lightning

+4000

6-2

Kings

+5000

Lightning

+2400

6-3

Kings

+4500

Lightning

+2500

6-4

Kings

+6600

Lightning

+4500

6-5

Kings

+6000

Lightning

+5500

7-0

Kings

+6000

Lightning

+11000

7-1

Kings

+6000

Lightning

+7000

7-2

Kings

+13000

Lightning

+6000

7-3

Kings

+9000

Lightning

+5000

7-4

Kings

+9000

Lightning

+6000

7-5

Kings

+13000

Lightning

+11000

7-6

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+12500

8-1

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+11000

8-2

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+10000

8-3

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+11000

8-4

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+11000

8-5

Kings

+14000

Lightning

+14000

View More

Los Angeles Kings vs Tampa Bay Lightning Odds

The odds and lines are updated on a frequent basis. You might therefore find that they are different to the ones listed for the above betting predictions.

The sportsbooks’ betting odds have Tampa Bay Lightning as -192 favorites for this game, implying that they are 66% likely to win. Los Angeles Kings are the underdogs at +160 and they’re regarded as least likely to win.

1.5 is where the puck line lies, with total goals being 5.5 right now. A Totals wager is always available and can often provide value selections. If you’re wanting to back Over 5.5, the odds are -120.

The good news is that you can access hundreds of team props and game lines for every National Hockey League matchup. The best sportsbooks have a huge range of pre-game and in-game betting options.

Moneyline

Kings

+160

Lightning

-192

3-Way Moneyline

Kings

+245

Tie

+325

Lightning

-111

Puck Line

Kings +1.5

-161

Lightning -1.5

+132

Total Goals

Under 5.5

-102

Over 5.5

-120

Nikita Kucherov is the First Goalscorer favorite at +850. Alternatively, there’s the chance to simply back him to light the lamp at anytime at +130.

Player Goals

Nikita Kucherov (Lightning)

First

+130

Anytime

+850

Jake Guentzel (Lightning)

First

+140

Anytime

+900

Brayden Point (Lightning)

First

+150

Anytime

+1000

Adrian Kempe (Kings)

First

+210

Anytime

+1200

Kevin Fiala (Kings)

First

+210

Anytime

+1300

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lightning)

First

+260

Anytime

+1700

Anthony Cirelli (Lightning)

First

+270

Anytime

+1600

Anze Kopitar (Kings)

First

+325

Anytime

+2200

Nicholas Paul (Lightning)

First

+350

Anytime

+1800

Alex Laferriere (Kings)

First

+350

Anytime

+2000

Gage Goncalves (Lightning)

First

+360

Anytime

+2200

Quinton Byfield (Kings)

First

+380

Anytime

+2200

Darren Raddysh (Lightning)

First

+425

Anytime

+2800

Trevor Moore (Kings)

First

+450

Anytime

+2500

Yanni Gourde (Lightning)

First

+475

Anytime

+2800

Joel Armia (Kings)

First

+475

Anytime

+2800

Corey Perry (Kings)

First

+500

Anytime

+3000

Warren Foegele (Kings)

First

+600

Anytime

+3000

Alex Turcotte (Kings)

First

+650

Anytime

+3000

Zemgus Girgensons (Lightning)

First

+750

Anytime

+4000

Drew Doughty (Kings)

First

+850

Anytime

+4000

Curtis Douglas (Lightning)

First

+850

Anytime

+4000

Brandt Clarke (Kings)

First

+850

Anytime

+4500

Scott Sabourin (Lightning)

First

+900

Anytime

+5000

Pontus Holmberg (Lightning)

First

+1000

Anytime

+4000

Charle-Edouard D'Astous (Lightning)

First

+1000

Anytime

+5500

Samuel Helenius (Kings)

First

+1100

Anytime

+4500

Jeff Malott (Kings)

First

+1200

Anytime

+6600

J.J. Moser (Lightning)

First

+1300

Anytime

+6000

Maxwell Crozier (Lightning)

First

+1400

Anytime

+6000

Player Assists

Nikita Kucherov (Lightning)

Over 0.5

-227

Under 0.5

+165

Darren Raddysh (Lightning)

Over 0.5

-118

Under 0.5

-110

Jake Guentzel (Lightning)

Over 0.5

-105

Under 0.5

-130

Brayden Point (Lightning)

Over 0.5

+120

Under 0.5

-161

Adrian Kempe (Kings)

Over 0.5

+160

Under 0.5

-222

Anze Kopitar (Kings)

Over 0.5

+185

Under 0.5

-250

Kevin Fiala (Kings)

Over 0.5

+195

Under 0.5

-278

Drew Doughty (Kings)

Over 0.5

+210

Under 0.5

-294

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lightning)

Over 0.5

+220

Under 0.5

-303

Anthony Cirelli (Lightning)

Over 0.5

+220

Under 0.5

-303

Quinton Byfield (Kings)

Over 0.5

+240

Under 0.5

-323

Alex Laferriere (Kings)

Over 0.5

+280

Under 0.5

-400

Player Shots

Nikita Kucherov (Lightning)

Over 3.5

+130

Under 3.5

-175

Jake Guentzel (Lightning)

Over 2.5

-105

Under 2.5

-130

Brayden Point (Lightning)

Over 2.5

+140

Under 2.5

-200

Adrian Kempe (Kings)

Over 2.5

-118

Under 2.5

-115

Kevin Fiala (Kings)

Over 2.5

-118

Under 2.5

-115

Alex Laferriere (Kings)

Over 2.5

+145

Under 2.5

-200

Darren Raddysh (Lightning)

Over 2.5

+130

Under 2.5

-175

Oliver Bjorkstrand (Lightning)

Over 1.5

-120

Under 1.5

-110

Anthony Cirelli (Lightning)

Over 1.5

-130

Under 1.5

-105

Quinton Byfield (Kings)

Over 1.5

-135

Under 1.5

-105

Trevor Moore (Kings)

Over 1.5

-105

Under 1.5

-130

Warren Foegele (Kings)

Over 1.5

+105

Under 1.5

-145

Micro betting is something that’s really popular with bettors, with NHL fans essentially being able to bet in-game when it comes to team and player props. Sometimes these are lines where you can wager on Shots or Goals.

Latest regular season and playoff games stats.

Los Angeles Kings Stats

Tampa Bay Lightning Stats

Moneyline

• 3 wins and 7 defeats in the last 10 games
• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games on the road

Moneyline

• 4 wins and 6 defeats in the last 10 games
• 5 wins and 5 defeats in the last 10 home games

Puck Line

• +1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 8 of the last 10 games
• +1.5 Betting Line on the Road: Have covered the +1.5 puck line in 9 of the last 10 games on the road

Puck Line

• -1.5 Betting Line: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 4 of the last 10 games
• -1.5 Betting Line at Home: Have covered the -1.5 puck line in 3 of the last 10 home games

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 4.90 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals on the Road: An average of 5.40 goals in the previous 10 games on the road
• Over 5.5: Covered in 3 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 on the Road: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games on the road
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 2.40 goals and allowed 2.50 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals on the Road: Have scored an average of 2.70 pts and allowed 2.70 goals in the last 10 games on the road

Total Goals

• Game Totals: An average of 5.90 goals in the previous 10 games
• Game Totals at Home: An average of 5.70 goals in the previous 10 home games
• Over 5.5: Covered in 5 of the previous 10 games
• Over 5.5 at Home: Covered in 6 of the previous 10 home games
• Team Totals: Have scored an average of 3.20 goals and allowed 2.70 goals in the last 10 games
• Team Totals at Home: Have scored an average of 2.80 goals and allowed 2.90 goals in the last 10 home games

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 26.6
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 3.8
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 8.2
• Blocks: 17.9
• Faceoff Wins : 30.6
• Hits: 17.5
• Giveaways: 15.8
• Takeaways: 4.6

Last 10 Games on the Road

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 28.3
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.2
• Penalties: 3.2
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 6.4
• Blocks: 18.4
• Faceoff Wins : 26.3
• Hits: 16.5
• Giveaways: 14.6
• Takeaways: 3.6

Team Stats - Avg/Game

Last 10 Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.6
• Shots: 31.8
• Goals Shorthanded: 0
• Penalties: 4.2
• Empty Net Goals: 0.2
• Penalty Minutes: 11
• Blocks: 16.8
• Faceoff Wins : 26.2
• Hits: 19.4
• Giveaways: 13.1
• Takeaways: 4.4

Last 10 Home Games

• Goals Powerplay: 0.4
• Shots: 29.1
• Goals Shorthanded: 0.1
• Penalties: 4.4
• Empty Net Goals: 0.1
• Penalty Minutes: 12.4
• Blocks: 14.2
• Faceoff Wins : 26.2
• Hits: 20.3
• Giveaways: 14.4
• Takeaways: 4.7

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Injuries & Suspensions

Starting Lineups

Both teams’ confirmed lineups will be published ahead of face-off. There is also the chance to look at the lineups from the previous 10 games.

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