TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 50-26-6 · 2ND IN EAST, ATLANTIC
50-26-6 · 2ND IN EAST, ATLANTIC
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Kings bring losing streak into game against the Lightning

The Los Angeles Kings come into the matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning after losing four straight games
DECEMBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Lightning vs. Kings Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec. 18

Preview the Dec. 18 matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings with betting odds over/under, game spread, moneyline, pred...
DECEMBER 18, 2025 • Data Skrive
Lightning vs. Kings Prediction, Odds, Picks - Dec. 18
Maxim Groshev - Three points in AHL win Groshev scored a goal and added two assists in AHL Syracuse's 5-0 win over Bridgeport on Wednesday.
Impact Groshev had gone four games without a point and 14 contests without a multi-point effort. The defenseman is now at one goal and 11 points, along with a plus-9 rating, over 25 appearances this season. He's also received a couple of call-ups to the Lightning amid the parent club's ongoing injury concerns on the blue line, but he has yet to make his NHL debut.
DECEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan Fanti - Collects shutout Wednesday Fanti posted an 18-save shutout in AHL Syracuse's 5-0 win over Bridgeport on Wednesday.
Impact Fanti's shutout was the second of his career in the AHL. The goalie lost six straight games (0-5-1) between Nov. 7 and Dec. 10, but he's since won two in a row. He's now 6-5-1 with a 2.34 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 12 games this year for the Crunch.
DECEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Hagel - Considered day-to-day Assistant coach Rob Zettler said Wednesday that Hagel is considered day-to-day due to an upper-body injury, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.
Impact Hagel exited Monday's loss to the Panthers in the third period, and head coach Jon Cooper didn't provide an update on the 27-year-old's status after the game. Hagel's injury doesn't seem to be particularly serious, but the Lightning will see how he feels ahead of Thursday's game against the Kings before determining his status. If Hagel is unable to suit up against Los Angeles, Dominic James will be a candidate to enter the lineup.
DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Ryan McDonagh - Could return versus Kings McDonagh (undisclosed) told reporters, "We'll see," when asked if he would be ready to play against Los Angeles on Thursday, Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com reports.
Impact McDonagh has been on the shelf since Nov. 8 versus the Capitals, a stretch of 18 games on injured reserve due to his undisclosed injury. Prior to his absence, the veteran blueliner was struggling offensively with just one point in his last eight outings. If McDonagh is cleared to play Thursday, it would likely come at the expense of Declan Carlile or Steve Santini.
DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Andrei Vasilevskiy - Removed from IR Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) was activated off injured reserve Tuesday, according to Erik Erlendsson of LightningInsider.com.
Impact Brandon Halverson was returned to AHL Syracuse on Tuesday, which paves the way for Vasilevskiy to return to the lineup Thursday against the Kings. It's unclear whether Jonas Johansson will draw an eighth consecutive start or if Vasilevskiy will be between the pipes for that matchup, but the latter is poised to reclaim the No. 1 gig in short order. The 31-year-old Vasilevskiy owns an 11-6-2 record, .916 save percentage and 2.31 GAA over 19 starts in 2025-26.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Max Crozier - Finds twine in loss Crozier scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM and logged two hits in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers.
Impact Crozier's first goal of the season got the Lightning on the board at 19:27 of the second period to break up Sergei Bobrovsky's shutout bid. The 25-year-old Crozier has had his season disrupted by an undisclosed injury, but he's picked up five points in 15 outings so far. He's added 25 shots on net, 15 hits, 11 blocked shots, 13 PIM and a plus-3 rating, offering a little grit in a bottom-four role.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
J.J. Moser - Goals in consecutive contests Moser scored a goal on two shots, added two hits and went plus-2 in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers.
Impact Moser has scored in back-to-back games and has four points over his last three contests. The 25-year-old defenseman is once again poised for extra even-strength minutes in the absence of Victor Hedman (elbow). Moser is at 11 points, 43 shots on net, 37 blocked shots, 22 hits and a plus-20 rating over 31 appearances. He may see a slight uptick in offense, but he's tracking to finish in the 20-25 point range this season.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Scott Sabourin - Relegated to minors Sabourin was reassigned to AHL Syracuse on Tuesday.
Impact Sabourin has posted one goal, three points, 13 hits and 32 PIM across seven appearances with the Lightning in 2025-26. It wouldn't be surprising to see the 6-foot-3 forward promoted again at some point this season, but for now, he'll link back up with the Crunch, with whom he's notched four goals, two helpers, 22 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 17 appearances this year.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Brayden Point - Two more points Monday Point collected two assists in Monday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers.
Impact The 29-year-old center appears to be back in form after a rough start to the season, and then a seven-game absence due to an undisclosed injury. Point was blanked in his return Dec. 8 against the Leafs, but since then he's gotten onto the scoresheet in four straight games, racking up two goals and seven points during his longest point streak so far in 2025-26.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Jonas Johansson - Mauled by Panthers Johansson turned aside 19 shots in Monday's 5-2 loss to Florida.
Impact The Panthers scored four times before the Lightning were even able to get on the board on a Max Crozier tally in the final minute of the second period. The shaky outing for Johansson could be his last for a while, as Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) might be on the verge of rejoining the team after Brandon Halverson was bumped back to AHL Syracuse on Tuesday morning. In Johansson's seven straight starts since Vasilevskiy went down, he's gone 2-4-1 with a respectable 2.59 GAA and .899 save percentage.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Brandon Halverson - Shipped back to minors Halverson was returned to AHL Syracuse on Tuesday.
Impact Halverson's demotion could be an indication that Andrei Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) will be ready to at least serve as the backup against the Kings on Thursday, though the Crunch are in action versus AHL Bridgeport on Wednesday, so Halverson could feature in that contest and then be recalled back to Tampa Bay.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Reinhart scores twice, Panthers defeat Lightning | NHL.com Verhaeghe has goal, assist for Florida, which has won 5 of past 6; Crozier gets 1st NHL goal for Tampa Bay
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • NHL.COM
Brandon Hagel - Unable to finish Monday's game Hagel (undisclosed) was injured in the final frame of Monday's 5-2 loss to the Panthers, and there was no update on his status after the game, per Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Ba...
Impact Hagel departed the contest after taking a high forearm from Seth Jones, according to Encina. The 2016 sixth-round pick logged two shots, one hit and a minus-1 rating in 13:32 of ice time prior to exiting. Hagel should be considered day-to-day until more information is provided on his status ahead of Thursday's home matchup against the Kings.
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers at Lightning Highlights | Reino Shines in Rivalry Battle | 12.15.25
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE
Panthers vs. Lightning | NHL Highlights | December 15, 2025
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Sam Reinhart scores twice to lead Panthers over Lightning 5-2

Sam Reinhart scored a shorthanded goal and a power play goal to lead the Florida Panthers to a 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night
DECEMBER 16, 2025 • Associated Press
Jersey Watch: Tampa Bay Lightning Miss Great Opportunity With Stadium Series Jerseys The 2026 Stadium Series is just a few weeks away. After weeks of teasing the official jerseys for the Boston Bruins and home team Tampa Bay...
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • PUCKPROSE.COM
NHL Status Report: Holloway out 6 weeks for Blues with ankle injury | NHL.com McDonagh not ready to return for Lightning; Skinner, Kulak added to Penguins’ active roster
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • NHL.COM
Emil Lilleberg - Set for extended absence Lilleberg (undisclosed) was labeled as week-to-week by head coach Jon Cooper, who told reporters Monday he was hoping to have the defenseman back before the Olympic break, Eduardo...
Impact Considering the Olympic break isn't until February, it certainly doesn't sound like Lilleberg is going to be back anytime soon. With just three points in his last 15 outings, the blueliner doesn't offer much in the way of offensive productivity, though he did chip in 33 hits and 19 blocks over that stretch. Lilleberg's extended absence will open up a spot on the blue line for Steve Santini.
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
NHL On Tap: Jets' Hellebuyck, Connor resume Olympic auditions against Senators | NHL.com Vasilevskiy could be back for Lightning; Kreider, Trouba return to Garden with Ducks
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • NHL.COM
Ryan McDonagh - Considered day-to-day McDonagh (undisclosed) is day-to-day, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports Monday.
Impact McDonagh remains on injured reserve and will miss his 18th straight game against Florida on Monday. However, he appears to be progressing toward a return to the lineup. McDonagh has collected three goals, six points, 15 shots on net, 26 blocked shots and eight hits through 15 appearances this season.
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Andrei Vasilevskiy - Still not ready to play Vasilevskiy (undisclosed) participated in Monday's game-day skate but still isn't cleared to suit up, Benjamin Pierce of the Lightning's official site reports.
Impact Vasilevskiy was originally a possibility to play versus the Panthers on Monday, but now it seems the hope is to get the netminder back before the Christmas break. With the veteran backstop still on injured reserve, the Bolts will continue to roll with Jonas Johansson between the pipes. Whenever Vasilevskiy does get the all-clear, he should retake his spot as the No. 1 option in Tampa Bay.
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
Emil Lilleberg - Designated for IR Lilleberg (undisclosed) was placed on injured reserve Monday, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact Lilleberg will have to miss at least the Bolts' next three games, though it could be longer, considering the team hasn't provided any details regarding the severity or nature of his undisclosed injury. With the 24-year-old blueliner on the shelf, Steve Santini was called up from the minors and should suit up on the third pairing against the Panthers on Monday.
DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE
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