Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups.

Jake Guentzel scores the only goal in the shootout to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 4-3 victory over the Ducks.

Jake Guentzel scored the only shootout goal as the Tampa Bay Lightning earned a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night. Guentzel, who had a goal in regulation, beat Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal (34 saves) between the pads to open the shootout.

The Ducks were coming off of one of their poorest offensive performances of the 2024-25 season on Tuesday with a 3-0 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Lightning came into this game after recently seeing their four-game point streak snapped on Tuesday when they lost 6-2 to the Boston Bruins.

The Lightning were a tired team Thursday night against the Ducks. Yes, they were back home. But after returning from Boston Wednesday following a three-game, four-day trip — part of a 16-game gauntlet (10 on the road) in January — they were a weary group.