The Los Angeles Kings (16-13-9) square off against the Tampa Bay Lightning (23-13-3) during Thursday’s NHL action, starting at 7 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena and broadcast on ESPN+. The Kings are seventh in the Western Conference (41 points), and the Lightning are fifth in the Eastern Conference (49 points).
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Kings vs. Lightning: Jan. 1 Viewing Options
Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. ET
How to watch on TV: ESPN+
Location: Los Angeles, California
Venue: Crypto.com Arena
Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Kings’ 2025-26 Stats
Lightning’s 2025-26 Stats
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Kings vs. Lightning Top Players
Kings
One of Los Angeles’ top offensive players this season is Adrian Kempe, who has recorded 32 points in 38 games.
Kevin Fiala has 13 goals and 12 assists for Los Angeles to compile 25 total points (0.7 per game).
Through 37 games, Quinton Byfield has proven himself as a contributor for Los Angeles. He has 21 points (five goals and 16 assists).
In the 23 games Darcy Kuemper has played this season, his save percentage is .917, the seventh-best in the league.
Lightning
Nikita Kucherov has recorded 18 goals and 33 assists in 35 games for Tampa Bay, good for 51 points.
Jake Guentzel has amassed 39 points this season, with 18 goals and 21 assists.
Brandon Hagel has posted 18 goals on the season, chipping in 16 assists.
Andrei Vasilevskiy is 15-7-2 this season, amassing 572 saves and allowing 55 goals (2.3 goals against average) with a .914 save percentage (12th in the league).
Kings vs. Lightning Injury Report
Kings
None
Lightning
Victor Hedman: Out (Elbow),
Emil Martinsen Lilleberg: Out (Undisclosed),
Ryan McDonagh: Out (Undisclosed),
Scott Sabourin: Out (Undisclosed)
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Kings’ Schedule