Columbus Blue Jackets (16-24-10) vs Tampa Bay Lightning (27-20-5)
Game Info: Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Nationwide Arena)
Betting Odds: Columbus Blue Jackets +148 / Tampa Bay Lightning -185 --- Over/Under: 6.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Tampa Bay Lightning look for a win after splitting their last 6 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets need a win after losing 7 of their last 10 games. Let’s preview this game and give out a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are coming off losses to the Rangers and Islanders. The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 3.4 goals per game and are scoring on 30 percent of their power play opportunities. Nikita Kucherov leads Tampa Bay with 33 goals, Victor Hedman has 42 assists and Steven Stamkos has 150 shots on goal. Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are allowing 3.33 goals per game and are killing 81.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jonas Johansson has given up 77 goals on 693 shots faced, while Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 75 goals on 745 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets recently lost to the Canucks and Kraken while beating the Blues. The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.92 goals per game and are scoring on 14.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 15 goals, Zach Werenski has 27 assists and Adam Fantilli has 115 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.66 goals per game and are killing 77.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Daniil Tarasov has allowed 38 goals on 320 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 85 goals on 879 shots.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Johnny Gaudreau has scored the last goal in three of his last four home appearances against the Lightning.
- Johnny Gaudreau has scored at least one goal in each of his last four home appearances against the Lightning.
- Patrik Laine has recorded at least one point in each of his last 10 Saturday night appearances at Nationwide Arena.
- Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in six of his last seven appearances against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Boone Jenner has the equal-most multi-goal games for the Blue Jackets this season (2).
Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts
- Brandon Hagel has scored at least one goal in each of the Lightning's last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Brandon Hagel has recorded at least one point in eight of the Lightning's last nine games.
- Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Lightning's last 10 games as favorites.
- Nikita Kucherov ranks 1st in the league for Points (87) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.66).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (14.69%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 1st in the league in power play percentage this season (30.00%).
- The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 25th in the league for goals against per game this season (3.33).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to pile up the losses and their defense remains a mess, making it harder and harder to back them against decent teams. The Tampa Bay Lightning are playing some of their best hockey of the season right now, and they've won 8 of their last 10 games against the Blue Jackets. Home ice hasn't helped the Columbus Blue Jackets much, as they're 9-13-4 on the season. The Lightning should roll here given the history and current form. Of course, give me the PL to shave down the price with the Lightning.
Randy’s Pick Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5
AUTHOR: Randy Chambers

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