In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Blue Jackets prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 10th at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 39-19-4 this season after they lost to the Sabres by a score of 8-7 in their last game. Tampa Bay led 7-5 in the third period, but they allowed three goals in the last nine minutes for the loss. The Lightning were out shot by a total of 42-28, won 50% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. TB got goals from Girgensons, Hagel, Kucherov (2), Perry, Point, and Moser, while Johansson stopped 34 out of 42 shots, which was an .810 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Tampa Bay defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 5-2, but lost to the Jets by a score of 4-1 before that. The Lightning have lost five of their last six games and they are currently second in the Atlantic standings with 82 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.53 goals per game and they have allowed 2.74 goals against per game, while also going 22.2% on the power play and 82.0% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led TB with 34 goals and 69 assists, while Jake Guentzel has added 27 goals and 40 assists. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 29-10-3 with a 2.28 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 32-21-10 this year after they lost to the Kings in overtime by a score of 5-4 in their last game. Columbus led 3-2 in the second period, but they needed a goal with about two minutes left in regulation to tie the game, before losing in OT. The Blue Jackets out shot LA by a total of 32-31, won 34.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Garland (2), Marchenko, and Mateychuk, while Greaves stopped 26 out of 31 shots, which was an .839 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Columbus lost to the Mammoth by a score of 5-4, but did beat the Panthers by a score of 4-2 before that. The Blue Jackets have lost four of their last seven games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 74 points. Columbus has scored 3.16 goals per game and they have allowed 3.21 goals against per game, while also going 19.7% on the power play and 77.6% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 20 goals and 46 assists, while Kirill Marchenko has added 23 goals and 32 assists. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Elvis Merzlikins, who is 12-9-2 with a 3.53 goals against average and an .884 save percentage this year.
Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win
- The Lightning have won each of their last nine home games against the Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have lost 12 of their last 15 games at Benchmark International Arena.
- The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last eight games against the Blue Jackets following a road loss.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games at Benchmark International Arena.
- The Lightning have won the first period in seven of their last eight games against the Blue Jackets following a road loss.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Lightning have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three games as an underdog when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight night games at Benchmark International Arena against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Lightning have lost the first period in five of their last six games as home favorites following a road loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Lightning’s last nine games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four night games at Benchmark International Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last nine games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine road games.
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Jake Guentzel has scored at least one goal in each of the Lightning’s last six Tuesday home games.
- Jake Guentzel has recorded an assist in each of his last seven appearances against the Blue Jackets.
- Nikita Kucherov ranks T1st in the league for multi-assist games (20) this season.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has scored at least one goal in each of his last four road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in road games.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 17 appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of only two teams in the league to rank top 5 for both goals for and goals against per game this season.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 3rd in the league for goals against per game this season (2.74).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T2nd in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (2).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.29).
Lightning vs Blue Jackets Prediction
Columbus comes into this matchup after back to back losses in overtime, but they have done a great job getting points recently. The Blue Jackets are 15-13-3 on the road this year, while the Lightning are 19-10-0 at home. Tampa Bay has lost five of their last six games and they have allowed 4+ goals in four of their last five. The Lightning are not playing very well right now and Columbus has picked up a point in six straight, so I will take the Blue Jackets and the plus money here.