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Ducks Finding Success on the Road as Lightning Struggle Home and Away
The Anaheim Ducks have turned their early-season road trip into a statement stretch. Under head coach Joel Quenneville, the Ducks are 2-0-1 through three games of a five-game journey that began in Chicago — marking Quenneville’s return to face his former team — and continues Saturday against another familiar foe: the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Anaheim’s offensive firepower was on full display Thursday night in a wild 7-5 win over the Boston Bruins, fueled by Mikael Granlund’s five-point performance (two goals, three assists) and Nikita Nesterenko’s four helpers. The Ducks scored four goals in the final 15 minutes to seal their second straight win.
“That was a good road win,” Granlund said. “We scored seven, which is great, but we’ve got to clean it up defensively — can’t give up five and expect to win consistently. Still, we got the two points we wanted.”
Granlund and rookie Leo Carlsson share the team lead with eight points, while Cutter Gauthier tops the club with five goals. The Ducks now sit third in the Pacific Division with a 4-2-1 record, looking sharper with each outing.
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Game Information
Matchup: Anaheim Ducks vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Venue: Benchmark International Arena – Tampa, FL
Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Odds: Lightning -199 | Ducks +166 | Total 6.5
Ducks Flying High on the Road
The Ducks have found their rhythm on offense — ranking 7th in goals (26) and 7th in assists (46) through their first seven games. They’ve also been effective on special teams, converting on five of their last 16 power plays (31.3%), ranking among the league’s top five.
Quenneville’s system emphasizes speed through the neutral zone and quick puck movement, and Anaheim’s young core has embraced it. The line of Granlund, Troy Terry, and Nesterenko combined for 11 points in the win over Boston, while Carlsson continues to flash the high-end vision that made him a top draft pick.
Still, defensive consistency remains an issue — Anaheim has allowed 22 goals in seven games — but their growing confidence has been evident during this trip. The Ducks’ improved pace and chemistry have made them a sneaky value play in road matchups, especially given their underdog status.
You can track updated NHL odds and live market shifts for Anaheim and other teams on the ScoresAndStats NHL odds board.
Lightning Searching for Answers
The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to spiral after another late-game collapse — this time, a 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. The defeat marked their third straight home loss and left them with a 1-4-2 record, the second-worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
Head coach Jon Cooper was candid about the team’s lack of discipline and execution.
“I didn’t like the penalties,” Cooper said. “They were careless and put us in trouble late. We played well enough to win, but this league is about results — and we didn’t get them.”
Despite the team’s struggles, Nikita Kucherov continues to shine. With two assists Thursday, he’s now just one point shy of 1,000 for his career, a milestone only 100 players in NHL history have reached. Meanwhile, Victor Hedman sits one point from 800, and Brandon Hagel is nearing 300.
Tampa Bay’s issue has been finishing games. They’ve been outscored 8–2 in the final 10 minutes of regulation this season and remain winless at home (0-3-0) — a stark contrast to their 29-8-4 home record last year.
You can see how Tampa’s betting line has shifted during this slide on the ScoresAndStats NHL picks page, where they’ve covered just once as a home favorite this season.
Injury Reports
Anaheim Ducks
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Radko Gudas (D) | Questionable | Lower Body |
| Jansen Harkins (C) | Out | Upper Body |
| Chris Kreider (LW) | Questionable | Illness |
| Ryan Strome (C) | Out | Upper Body |
Tampa Bay Lightning
| Player | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|
| Maxwell Crozier (D) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Zemgus Girgensons (LW) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Niko Huuhtanen (RW) | Out | Undisclosed |
| Nick Paul (LW) | Out | Upper Body |
| Scott Sabourin (RW) | Out | Suspension |
Analysis
The Ducks are trending upward, combining youthful energy with Quenneville’s veteran structure. Their balanced attack and improving special teams give them a real chance to extend Tampa’s woes. The Lightning, while dangerous, have been undone by penalties, defensive breakdowns, and poor late-game execution.
Anaheim’s momentum and confidence make them a legitimate underdog pick, especially considering Tampa Bay’s inability to close out games at home. If the Ducks can maintain their offensive pace, they could turn this matchup into another road statement.
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Prediction
Anaheim’s speed and offensive depth are proving difficult to contain, while Tampa Bay’s defense remains shaky. Unless the Lightning rediscover their home-ice dominance quickly, the Ducks’ form makes them the sharper play here.
Projected Score: Ducks 4, Lightning 3
Best Bets: Anaheim ML (+166), Over 6.5 (-108)
For live totals, betting splits, and verified handicappers’ picks, visit the ScoresAndStats NHL betting hub.
