Ducks vs Lightning: Betting Odds, Projected Lineups, Lindholm’s Expected Return

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 31: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning battles in a face-off against Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks during the game on December 31, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 31: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning battles in a face-off against Adam Henrique #14 of the Anaheim Ducks during the game on December 31, 2018 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Debora Robinson/NHLI via Getty Images)

After blowing a 4 goal lead in Sunrise, Florida on Thursday, the Anaheim Ducks hope their luck will change against Tampa Bay.

The Anaheim Ducks started their game against the Florida Panthers on Thursday with good momentum. The rookies played a strong game, the veterans gave them adequate support, and they managed to snag a four-goal lead late in the second period with a goal from Ondrej Kase. For once, things seemed to be going their way. Then, the third period began.

They let in two back to back goals late in the second, but hope didn’t seem to be all lost. They were defending a two-goal lead with twenty minutes left to go. Nevertheless, in typical Ducks fashion, they allowed the Florida Panthers to score two more unanswered goals in the third period, sending the game to overtime.

A surprising choice by head coach Dallas Eakins, he sent Sam Steel out in the overtime period. His performance was less than stellar, and the Panthers won the game less than one minute into the overtime period. The issues the Ducks have been struggling with all season came to light once again.

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Tampa Bay struggled at the beginning of the season but, since then, have regained their footing. Spending a majority of the third period in their own zone is not an option for the Ducks tonight. They have Ryan Miller in net tonight, who has performed phenomenally between the pipes against Tampa Bay. Lindholm is set to return, which will be a breath of fresh air for the blueline. There are both positives and negatives going into tonight’s game, and the Ducks can only hope that their luck finally changes.

What You Need to Know Before Puck Drop

Game 24: Anaheim Ducks vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Season Record: 10-10-3

Location: Amalie Arena— Tampa Bay, Florida

Time: 4:00pm PST

TV: Prime Ticket

Radio: AM830

Tickets: If you’re looking for last-minute tickets for tonight’s game, our friends at StubHub have you covered with tickets as low as $28.

Anaheim Ducks News: Hampus Lindholm is projected to be back in the lineup tonight.

Anaheim Ducks Betting Odds & Lines

According to the Action Network, Tampa Bay is -225 on the Moneyline for tonight’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. While the Lightning struggled at the beginning of the season to find their footing, especially after such an incredible 2018-19 regular season, they’ve recently started to find their groove again, going 4-2-0 in their last six games. Home ice could work in their favor, as the Ducks have struggled on the road over the course of their last two road trips.

Hampus Lindholm reenters the Ducks lineup tonight, but his presence on the blue line may not be enough to solve their defensive woes. Tampa Bay has actually only scored 5 more goals than Anaheim this season, but the Ducks’ inability to play all 60 minutes as of late may be a big factor as to why the Lightning are tonight’s favorites to win.

Weather Forecast

Per the Weather Channel, if you’re watching the game from Orange County tonight, enjoy the sunshine before the game starts! The temperature is holding steady in the high 70’s with little humidity. However, if you’re an Anaheim Ducks fan native to Florida, a rain jacket would be an appropriate clothing choice to wear over your jersey. Expect cloudy skies and a 90% chance of rain throughout the evening.

Anaheim Ducks Projected Lineup

The Anaheim Ducks projected lineup has been provided courtesy of NHL.com and is subject to change:

Rickard Rakell–Ryan Getzlaf–Troy TerryMax Jones–Adam Henrique–Jakob SilfverbergNick Ritchie-Sam Steel-Ondrej KaseNicolas Deslauriers–Derek Grant–Carter Rowney Brendan Guhle–Cam FowlerHampus Lindholm-Erik GudbransonJacob Larsson–Korbinian Holzer Starting Goaltender: Ryan MillerBackup Goaltender: John Gibson Healthy Scratches: Michael Del Zotto, Devin Shore, Josh MahuraInjuries: Ryan Kesler (LTIR), Josh Manson (MCL Sprain)

Tampa Bay Lightning Projected Lineup

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s projected lineup has been provided courtesy of NHL.com and is subject to change:

Ondrej Palat–Brayden Point–Nikita KucherovCarter Verhaeghe–Tyler Johnson–Cory ConacherAlex Killorn–Anthony Cirelli–Mathieu JosephPat Maroon–Cedric Paquette–Yanni Gourde Victor Hedman–Kevin ShattenkirkRyan McDonagh–Erik CernakMikhail Sergachev–Jan Rutta Starting Goaltender: Andrei VasilevskiyBackup Goaltender: Curtis McElhinney Healthy Scratches: Luke Schenn, Braydon CoburnInjuries: Steven Stamkos (Lower Body)

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