The Lightning will face an Anaheim team that has somehow managed to keep its head above water even with all the injuries that they've had all season. The Kings have been awful from the start of the season, and the injuries are starting to pile up. The Bolts finish the week with a trip to San Jose to visit the Sharks, who are heating up at just the right time.
Monday, Dec. 31 @ Ducks- 8 p.m.
The Bolts look to continue their winning ways when they take on the Ducks on New Years Eve. The Ducks have been injury riddled this year, but are still keeping pace for the playoffs. The Bolts have been one of the most consistent teams all season.
The Lightning should get some pucks on net with traffic in front for deflections and to take the goalie's eyes off the puck. The Bolts need to take advantage of the power play opportunities when they have them since the Ducks penalty kill is only at 79.6% for the season. The Ducks need to be aware of the Bolts speed, which needs to be used whenever possible and don't get roped into playing a slower game by the Ducks. The Lightning have a good chance to get off to a fast start in this game, since the Ducks have only scored 26 first period goals. The key to this game for the Lightning will be to take advantage of all the injured players out of the lineup for the Ducks and to get off to a fast start.
Thursday, Jan. 3 @ Kings- 10:30 p.m.- ESPN+
The Kings are one of the biggest disappointments so far this season, and look like they'll finish with a good chance at winning the NHL Lottery, while the Lightning look as though they are the one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
The Bolts need to be aware of when Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown are on the ice since they are the leading point-getter and goal scorer for the Kings. The Kings don't have a regulation win when trailing after two periods so the Bolts want to make sure that have the lead entering the final period of play. The Lightning should be able to take advantage of a weak penalty kill by Kings this season. The key to this game will be the Lightning getting the first goal of the game and to keep the attack going, not to sit back and get comfortable.
Saturday, Jan. 5 @ Sharks-11 p.m.
The Sharks look to continue their winning ways of late. The Bolts are just looking to build on their lead in the standings.
The Lightning will need their goaltender to come up big since the Sharks average over three goals per game. They should establish the forecheck and cycle game early to keep the Sharks balanced lineup defending their own zone and not having their way in the offensive zone. The Sharks have a top-10 ranked power play so it would be a good idea for the Lightning to play with some discipline, even though their penalty kill is much improved over last year. The Bolts should try to establish the pace early in the game and get plenty of pucks on net because the Sharks score goals, but they also give up just under three goals per game too.
Lightning Strikes Weekly Prediction
The Lightning will come out of this road trip no worse for the ware with a 2-1-0 record. The team will take the first two games of the trip against the Ducks and Kings. The Sharks are playing decent hockey right now and they'll get the saved needed by the goalie to pull off a regulation win.
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