The Los Angeles Kings are set to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a regular-season game on December 31, 2025. This matchup will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with puck drop scheduled for 4:00 PM Pacific Time.
Today’s Lineup and Key Players
The Kings are beginning a four-game homestand, which is their longest stretch of consecutive home games this season. Los Angeles previously defeated Tampa Bay 2-1 last month, with Adrian Kempe scoring both goals. Kempe has amassed five goals in his last eight matches against the Lightning, leading all Kings skaters.
Kings Lineup
- Laferriere – Kopitar – Kempe
- Foegele – Byfield – Moore
- Fiala – Turcotte – Kuzmenko
- Armia – Helenius – Perry
- Anderson – Doughty
- Edmundson – Clarke
- Dumoulin – Ceci
- Goaltender: Forsberg or possibly Kuemper
With Darcy Kuemper returning from injury, the starting goaltender for tonight is yet to be confirmed. Kuemper has a career record of 6-5-0 against the Lightning, boasting a .915 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average. If not starting, Anton Forsberg will assume the goaltending duties; he recently secured a win against Tampa Bay with 31 saves.
Lightning Vitals
- Tampa Bay currently leads the Atlantic Division, entering this game on a five-game winning streak.
- The Lightning defeated Anaheim 4-3 in their previous game.
- Victor Hedman will not participate due to an elbow injury.
- Jon Cooper reached a coaching milestone by officiating his 1,000th NHL game in the match against Anaheim.
Focus of the Game
This game marks the start of 2026 for the Kings, who aim to turn over a new leaf following a challenging previous year. Coach Jim Hiller emphasized the importance of focusing on this match, stating that establishing a winning rhythm is critical for the team’s success.
Notably, the Kings require a stronger offensive performance than they exhibited in Tampa, where they managed only two goals. The line of Fiala, Turcotte, and Kuzmenko is highlighted as a potential source of scoring, ranking high in expected goals per 60 minutes. Their execution on offense will be pivotal today.
Looking Ahead
The Kings face a demanding schedule with 16 games in 31 days. Having Kuemper back in the lineup could be a decisive factor in their performance during this busy month. Regardless of whether he starts tonight, his presence is vital for the Kings, who have struggled offensively this season.
As the Kings prepare to host the Lightning, they look to capture a critical win at home and establish momentum for the challenges ahead.
