Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings Betting Pick & Prediction 1/4/25
Betting on today’s Lightning and Kings game? Catch the action at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, as the Kings hosts this showdown at 9:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Kings as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 6 goals.
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS LOS ANGELES KINGS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Los Angeles Kings -1.5
This game will be played at Crypto.com Arena at 9:00 ET on Saturday, January 4th.
WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES KINGS:
- With the Kings being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Kings.
- Take the Kings on the moneyline
- On the spread, we like Lightning (+1.5)
Taking a Look at the Lightning Chances in Los Angeles
After a 7-4 loss to the Jets, the Lightning’s record stands at 20-13-2. Tampa Bay held a 2-0 lead early, but their defense faltered, allowing seven unanswered goals, including two empty-netters.
The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 11. Tampa Bay, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. Four different Lightning players scored in the game.
Brandon Hagel opened the scoring for the Lightning with his 7th goal of the season, followed by Brayden Point’s 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal in the second period, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th in the third.
The Lightning took 30 shots on goal and recorded 8 giveaways. They finished with 4 assists on their 4 goals.
Defensively, the Lightning struggled late, giving up the final three goals of the game, including two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson finished with a save percentage of 84.4% on 32 shots from the Jets. Tampa Bay’s defense also recorded 16 hits and 6 takeaways.
Are Los Angeles Ready for a Home Win?
After a 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks, the Kings now sit at 22-10-5. Los Angeles led 3-2 in the third period, but Chicago tied it up with just 31 seconds left, before winning in the shootout.
The Kings were favored on the puck line, and the total was set at 6 goals. The combined 7 goals surpassed that number, with the Kings failing to cover the puck line.
Alex Laferriere opened the scoring for the Kings with his 7th goal of the season, later adding his 8th in the second period. Phillip Danault netted his first goal of the season in the third period, while also picking up his 4th assist on Laferriere’s second goal.
Kevin Fiala contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to 5. The Kings fired 40 shots on goal and scored once on the power play. They had 13 giveaways in the game.
Despite leading 3-2 late in the third period, the Kings gave up a goal with just 31 seconds remaining, and then another three goals in the shootout. Goalie Darcy Kuemper made 18 saves with a save percentage of 85.7%. Defensively, the Kings finished with 6 takeaways and 24 hits.