Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings Recap
PublishedJanuary 2, 2026,            Posted By: Maria Uebelhor
Last updated:January 2, 2026 ,

NHL Recap: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings – 1/1/26

The Tampa Bay Lightning faced the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, on Thursday, January 1, 2026. The Lightning won the game with a score of 5-3. This victory improved their record to 23-13-3, placing them third in the Eastern Conference.

Nikita Kucherov led the way for Tampa Bay with one goal and two assists. Brayden Point also had a strong performance, scoring two goals. On the Kings’ side, Corey Perry contributed three assists. Despite their efforts, the Kings fell to a record of 16-13-9, placing them eighth in the Western Conference.

The game remained scoreless through the first three periods, with neither the Lightning nor the Kings able to find the net. Both teams played tight defensively, with the Lightning taking 24 shots and the Kings 20. The Lightning had 22 hits and 12 blocks, while the Kings had 20 hits and 21 blocks. This defensive play kept the game even until overtime.

In overtime, the Lightning scored five goals to secure the win. The Kings managed to score three times, but it was not enough to catch up. Nikita Kucherov led the Lightning with a goal and two assists, while Brayden Point added two goals. For the Kings, Andrei Kuzmenko and Jeff Malott each scored a goal. The Lightning’s penalty minutes were higher, with 11 compared to the Kings’ 9, but they still managed a power play goal.

 

  • Nikita Kucherov was a standout player for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored one goal and assisted on two others. Kucherov also had two shots on goal, contributing significantly to his team’s win.
  • Brayden Point also made a big impact in the game. He scored two goals and had five shots on goal. His performance was key in securing the win for Tampa Bay.
  • Anthony Cirelli added to the Lightning’s success with one goal and one assist. He also took four shots on goal, playing an important role in the team’s offense.
  • On the Los Angeles Kings side, Corey Perry stood out by assisting on three goals. He took two shots on goal, trying to help his team compete against Tampa Bay.
  • Andrei Kuzmenko contributed for the Kings with one goal and one assist. His performance included one shot on goal. Jeff Malott also added a goal for the Kings, with one shot on goal.

What’s Next

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s win over the Los Angeles Kings improves their record to 23-13-3. This solidifies their position at 3rd in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning continue to show strong performance this season, keeping them in the upper tier of their conference standings.

On the other hand, the Kings now hold a record of 16-13-9. They remain 8th in the Western Conference. The Kings need to gather more wins to climb higher in the standings and secure a more favorable playoff position.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will play their next game on Saturday, January 03, against the San Jose Sharks. This game is on the road at the SAP Center. After that, they return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, January 06.

The Los Angeles Kings will also play on Saturday, January 03. They will face the Minnesota Wild at home in the Crypto.com Arena. The Kings stay at home for another game against the Wild on Monday, January 05.

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