The Anaheim Ducks wrapped up a disappointing road trip with a matchup, the first game of a home-and-home series, against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers. The Ducks were coming off a 4-3 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, which brought their point tally to three on their season-long six-game road trip.

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.