Blue Jackets vs Lightning Prediction 3/4/25 NHL Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Blue Jackets vs Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 4th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are 30-22-8 this year after they defeated the Red Wings by a score of 5-3 in their last game. Columbus had a 3-1 lead entering the third period, but they needed two late goals to get the win. The Blue Jackets were outshot by a total of 46-21, won 50.9% of the face-offs, and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. Columbus got goals from Danforth, Fantilli, Olivier, Voronkov, and Mateychuk, while Merzlikins stopped 43 out of 46 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings again by a score of 5-2 and the Stars by a score of 6-4. Columbus has won four games in a row and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 68 points. Columbus has scored 3.35 goals per game and they have allowed 3.25 goals against per game, while also going 21.6% on the power play and 75.3% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 18 goals, 46 assists, and 212 shots on goal, while Kirill Marchenko has added 24 goals, 36 assists, and 155 shots on goal. Elvis Merzlikins is 22-14-4 with a 2.97 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage this year. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 35-21-4 this season after they lost to Florida by a score of 2-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay cut the deficit to 2-1 early in the third period, but couldn’t find the tying goal in the loss. The Lightning recorded 29 shots on goal, won 48.3% of the face-offs, and went 0-7 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got their lone goal from Point, while Vasilevskiy stopped 27 out of 29 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Lightning defeated the Capitals by a score of 3-1 and the Flames by a score of 3-0. Tampa Bay has won eight of their last nine games and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 74 points. Tampa Bay has scored 3.56 goals per game and they have allowed 2.63 goals against per game, while also averaging 27.3% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 27 goals, 60 assists, and 194 shots on goal, while Brandon Hagel has added 30 goals, 38 assists, and 175 shots on goal. Jonas Johansson is 6-5-1 with a 3.24 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage this year. 

Why the Lightning will beat the Blue Jackets 

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last eight night games at Amalie Arena.
• The Lightning have won each of their last six night games against the Blue Jackets following a road loss.
• The Lightning have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as favorites.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last five night games at Amalie Arena.
• The Blue Jackets have lost the first period in five of their last six games at Amalie Arena following a win.

Why the Blue Jackets will beat the Lightning 

• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last three games as underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Lightning have lost four of their last five games as home favorites following a road loss.
• The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• The Blue Jackets have won the second period in four of their last five games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last four night games has gone UNDER the total goals line.
• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as underdogs following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in 21 of the Lightning’s last 22 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 18 of the Blue Jackets’ last 19 games against Atlantic Division opponents.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Brandon Hagel has scored a goal in each of the Lightning’s last five home games.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one point in each of his last 14 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
• Nikita Kucherov has recorded at least one assist in each of the Lightning’s last seven Tuesday games against Metropolitan Division opponents at Amalie Arena.
• Nikita Kucherov ranks 1st in the league for Power Play Points (35) this season.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Adam Fantilli has scored the last goal in three of the Blue Jackets’ last four games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
• Kent Johnson has scored a goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Boone Jenner has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games.
• Kent Johnson has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last eight road games.
• Kirill Marchenko ranks T1st in the Eastern Conference for Plus/Minus (+35) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 5th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.62).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank 5th in the league in power play percentage this season (26.16%).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.31%).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (1.30).

David Racey is 16-7 (70%) in the NHL over the last seven days. Click here for his premium plays for today!

Blue Jackets vs Lightning Prediction 

Tampa Bay had their winning streak snapped on Monday night against Florida, so they will be on a back-to-back in this game, but they will be at home. The Lightning are 21-7-2 at home this year, while the Blue Jackets are 10-16-4 on the road. Columbus has won four games in a row and they have scored at least five goals in all four of those games. Tampa Bay has been one of the better defensive teams in the NHL this season, but they will be using their backup goalie, which is a big drop-off from Vasilevskiy. Take the over here.