Columbus Blue Jackets vs
Tampa Bay LightningPredictions & Preview

Tampa Bay Lightning Look to Extend Winning Streak Against Columbus Blue Jackets in Eastern Conference Showdown

In an upcoming Eastern Conference matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets will face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Blue Jackets are coming off a road loss to the Hurricanes, while the Lightning secured a win against the Kraken. Previously, Columbus defeated Tampa Bay with a score of 7-6 in November. The Lightning are currently the betting favorite with opening odds of -245. It will be interesting to see if the Blue Jackets can contain the Lightning in this anticipated game. Be sure to check out the prediction for this matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Blue Jackets +212 | Lightning -245
• Spread: Blue Jackets +1.5 (-120) | Lightning -1.5 (+100)
• Total: Over/Under 6.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 71%.

Columbus vs Tampa Bay Stats

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Columbus Blue Jackets are wrapping up a quick road trip and are just three points away from a wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite a recent slump of four consecutive losses, defenseman Zach Werenski has been a standout player with 31 points and a +6 rating this season. On the other hand, Kirill Marchenko has been consistent with 29 points, while Cole Sillinger has struggled with only one point in his last five games. The team's goaltending has been an area of concern with both Daniel Tarasov and Elvis Merzlikins facing challenges. Offensively, Columbus ranks 11th in goal scoring but struggles defensively, allowing an average of 3.6 goals per game. For expert guidance during the NHL season, consider using our top Hockey handicappers.

Tampa Bay Lightning Analysis

The Tampa Bay Lightning are currently in 3rd place in the Atlantic Division, six points out of first, but their recent offensive prowess has been impressive. Winning four of their past five games, including a dominant 5-1 road win against the Kraken, the team has been led by standout performances from Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. Kucherov has accumulated 14 points in his past six games, second in the NHL with 46 points overall, while Point has amassed 15 points in December and 36 points on the season. The Lightning also continues to rely on goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has been stellar with a 2.41 GAA and .910 save %. The team ranks 1st in offense, scoring an average of 4.0 goals per game, and 10th in defense, allowing an average of 2.9 goals per game. Despite their strong performance, Columbus has had success in their last three matchups against Tampa Bay. It is important to do research before seeking out top Sportsbook Promos.

Tampa Bay Lightning's Offense Shines as Columbus Blue Jackets Struggle

The Columbus Blue Jackets have faced challenges recently, losing four consecutive games and winning only one of their last eight. They have also struggled in three out of their last four away games. On the other hand, the Tampa Bay Lightning have shown strong performance, winning four out of their last five games. Tampa Bay's offense has been impressive, scoring 26 goals in their past five games. With Columbus giving up a high number of goals and Tampa Bay's potent offense, it is anticipated that Merzlikins, the Blue Jackets' goalkeeper with a save percentage of .887, will face difficulty. Considering that five of the Lightning's last six victories have been by at least two goals, it is advisable to consider the puck line.

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