NHL play on Wednesday features a meeting in Anaheim, California between the Tampa Bay Lightning (22-13-3) and Anaheim Ducks (21-16-2) at Honda Center, starting at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Lightning are fifth in the Eastern Conference and the Ducks are sixth in the Western Conference.
Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more.
Lightning vs. Ducks: Dec. 31 Viewing Options
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- How to watch on TV: ESPN+
- Location: Anaheim, California
- Venue: Honda Center
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Lightning's 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.29 | 5th |
| Goals Allowed | 2.63 | 5th |
| Shots | 27.4 | 20th |
| Shots Allowed | 26.7 | 7th |
| Power Play % | 16.26% | 24th |
| Penalty Kill % | 85.27% | 2nd |
Ducks' 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.33 | 4th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.51 | 32nd |
| Shots | 31.0 | 3rd |
| Shots Allowed | 28.4 | 21st |
| Power Play % | 16.67% | 23rd |
| Penalty Kill % | 75.78% | 27th |
Watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more streaming all season on ESPN+.
Lightning vs. Ducks Top Players
Lightning
- Nikita Kucherov is one of Tampa Bay's top contributors this season with 49 points. He has averaged 0.4 goals per game, shooting 16.2%.
- Jake Guentzel has 18 goals and 21 assists for Tampa Bay to compile 39 total points (1.0 per game).
- With 31 points through 33 games (18 goals and 13 assists), Brandon Hagel has been an important part of Tampa Bay's offensive efforts this season.
- As Tampa Bay's top goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy has recorded 14 wins and 7 losses this season while giving up 52 goals with 547 saves.
Ducks
- Leo Carlsson has scored 17 goals (0.4 per game) and put up 24 assists (0.6 per game), fueling the Anaheim offense with 41 total points (1.1 per game). He averages 2.4 shots per game, shooting 18.1%.
- Troy Terry is one of the impact players on offense for Anaheim with 38 total points (1.0 per game), with 12 goals and 26 assists in 39 games.
- Cutter Gauthier is a top contributor on offense for Anaheim with 19 goals and 19 assists.
- Lukas Dostal is 13-9-1 on the season, giving up 71 goals (3.1 goals against average) and compiling 570 saves with an .889 save percentage (45th in the league).
Lightning vs. Ducks Injury Report
Lightning
Erik Cernak: Out (Undisclosed),
Victor Hedman: Out (Elbow),
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg: Out (Undisclosed),
Ryan McDonagh: Out (Undisclosed),
Scott Sabourin: Out (Undisclosed)
Ducks
Radko Gudas: Day-To-Day (Illness),
Frank Vatrano: Day-To-Day (Upper Body)
Sign up for ESPN+ to watch the Lightning take on Ducks.
Lightning's Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/22/2025 | Blues | W 4-1 | Home |
| 12/27/2025 | Panthers | W 4-2 | Away |
| 12/28/2025 | Canadiens | W 5-4 | Home |
| 12/31/2025 | Ducks | - | Away |
| 1/1/2026 | Kings | - | Away |
| 1/3/2026 | Sharks | - | Away |
| 1/6/2026 | Avalanche | - | Home |
Ducks' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12/22/2025 | Kraken | L 3-1 | Home |
| 12/27/2025 | Kings | L 6-1 | Away |
| 12/29/2025 | Sharks | L 5-4 | Home |
| 12/31/2025 | Lightning | - | Home |
| 1/2/2026 | Wild | - | Home |
| 1/5/2026 | Capitals | - | Away |
| 1/6/2026 | Flyers | - | Away |