Los Angeles vs Tampa Bay Prediction: the Lightning Can't Win

Prediction for the NHL-1 match between Los Angeles vs Tampa Bay, which will take place on January 5th. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the teams' conditions! Several betting options are available.

LA is doing really well at the moment. After a tough away series, the Kings got back together and started winning again. After the Christmas break, they beat Edmonton 4-3 in overtime, then Philadelphia 5-4 and New Jersey 3-0. With 49 points, Jim Hiller's team is currently fourth in the Western Conference standings, and they should be commended for their stability, given their far from stellar lineup.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, still lacks that same stability. The Lightning have lost a bunch of points, so they're only seventh in the Eastern Conference standings with 42. Not so long ago, they had a great run where they won six out of seven games. But then, the day before, Tampa Bay somehow lost to the underdogs - first to Montreal 2-5, then to San Jose 1-2.

We reckon you should go for Los Angeles in this match. The Kings rarely have bad streaks this season and, in some ways, they play even better than expected. The team's performance is on par, and after three wins in a row, the Kings at home are clearly keen to impress their fans with another victory. But Tampa Bay is struggling after losing to Montreal and San Jose, so it won't be easy for them to improve. It's also the second day in a row that the visitors are playing, so it's probably best to stick with the hosts and go for their win.