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Ducks at Lightning Game Preview: Home and looking for a win

Jan 5, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) moves the puck against Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Game Forty-three: Anaheim Ducks (18-21-5) at Tampa Bay Lightning (23-16-3)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Amalie Arena, Tampa

TV/Stream/Radio: FDSNSUN, Victory+, KCOP-13, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -305

Know the Opponents: Orange County Register

The Bolts are home for a quick two-game home stand after a somewhat frustrating road trip that saw them go 1-1-1. In town to face them, the Anaheim Ducks. We’ve talked about scheduled losses before, but could the Lightning be looking at a schedule win? Since beating the Lightning earlier in the month, the Orange County hockey club is in a bit of a tailspin, going 1-3-1. It’s been an interesting road trip for the Ducks so far as they were beat in St. Louis, shutout in Philly (with young prospects Cutter Gauthier getting booed every time he touched the puck), beat Carolina thanks to Gauthier’s overtime winner, and then shutout in Washington.

It’s been a long trip that will wrap up in Florida on Saturday, and you have to wonder if they’re just looking to get back home. They’ve had a few players out of the line-up including Troy Terry, who was out of action for three games to be present for the birth of his second child. Trevor Zegras remains out as he recovers from a knee injury. Offense continues to be the Ducks main source of woe as they have scored just five goals on the road trip so far.

Meanwhile, the Lightning are back at home following a road trip where their offense has started later than Brayden Point’s arrival at a team meeting. Honestly, it’s been a worrying trend all month long as they have mustered just 3 first-period goals in 8 games this month. Prior to January, they were one of the best first-period teams, having scored 44 goals in 33 games, a total second only to the Washington Capitals.

Putting teams on the back-foot early, especially teams that struggle to score, was a big reason for their success over the first half of the season. The Lightning can be an excellent counter-attack team when teams are pushing for offense. As of late, the Bolts have been on the other side of the coin, having to push for offense as they’ve chased a few games. Yes, it’s added up to a bunch of shots on goal, but they’ve been struggling to turn that into wins.

So, tonight, they have an Anaheim team that is at the end of a long and difficult road trip. The Bolts have (hopefully) had at least one full night’s sleep, and are coming off of a rest/travel day. Based on the post-game comments following the loss to Boston, they are all well aware of what they need to do, now they just need to go and do it. Take advantage of the struggling team facing them tonight and put together a solid effort.

One thing to watch out for tonight is the race to 600 assists. No player in franchise history has hit that number and there are currently two future hall-of-famers on the cusp. Victor Hedman, who has three assists during his current four-game point streak is at 599. Nikita Kucherov, who has quietly put together a six-game point streak, is at 596. The betting money would be on Hedman hitting the number first, but would we be surprised if Kucherov spun up a random four-assist game? No.

It would be nice if those two had some help from the bottom-six, though. Scoring depth will be key in the playoffs, and while the top-six had been absolutely okay this season, they have to start getting some consistent contributions from the bottom-six. We’ve seen Coach Cooper mix things up a bit over the last couple of games, but at some point they have to start finding the back of the net on a regular basis.

Tonight is as good as any night to start a winning streak.

An interesting sight at the morning skate – J.J Moser taking Ryan McDonagh’s spot. Moser isn’t expected back for a couple of weeks so it’s likely he’s just filling in for McDonagh, who took a puck to the face against Boston.

Nick Paul is up on the second line while Conor Geekie is centering Mitchell Chaffee and Cameron Atkinson.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

Forwards:

Jake GuentzelBrayden PointNikita Kucherov
Brandon HagelAnthony CirelliNick Paul
Mitchell ChaffeeConor GeekieCameron Atkinson
Zemgus Girgensons Luke GlendeningMikey Eyssimont

Defense:

Victor HedmanDarren Raddysh
Ryan McDonagh (?)Erik Cernak
Emil LillebergNick Perbix

Goaltenders:

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Jonas Johansson

Anaheim Ducks

Forwards:

Frank VatranoRyan StromeTory Terry
Cutter GauthierMason McTavishRobby Fabbri
Alex KillornLeo CarlssonSam Colangelo
Jansen HarkinsIsac LundestromBrett Leason

Defense:

Jackson LaCombeRadko Gudas
Pavel MintyukovJacob Trouba
Brian DumoulinDrew Helleson

Goaltenders:

Lukas Dostal
John Gibson
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