The Los Angeles Kings are going to continue their homestand on Saturday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning. For the Kings, there is nothing better than playing at home as they are 13-2-1 and currently in the midst of an eight game win streak at home.
This game is going to be a battle of strengths as the Lightning are the highest scoring team currently in the NHL with an average of 3.86 goals per game. They are led by the line of Brayden Point-Jake Guentzel-Nikita Kucherov as these three have combined for 60 goals or 44% of the Lightnings' goals this season.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings have been one of the best defensive teams this season as they are fourth in the league in goals against average of 2.54 goals per game. Darcy Kuemper is coming off his second shutout of the season, a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, and the Kings as a team and have allowed more than three goals in a game only once in the past 15 games.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles Kings 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3
The two meetings last season between these two teams went to overtime and this game once again should be another close contest with an extra period not out of the question. The Kings have struggled in overtime but did just get their first OT win last weekend agaisnt the Edmonton Oilers.
The reason the LA Kings get the edge here is that they have proven they are very tough to beat at home. In just the past week, they have wins over the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils who are two of the top teams in the league.
Entering this game, the Lightning are struggling a bit with two straight losses against the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens, two teams near the bottom of the league. The Kings can't take it lightly but should be able to get a win and extend their winning streak at home.