Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction NHL Picks 12/17/24

In this article, we will formulate a Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 17th 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 12-14-5 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Columbus cut the deficit to just 2-1 in the second, but they allowed the last two goals in the loss. The Blue Jackets recorded 28 shots on goal, won 39% of the face-offs, and went 0-5 on the power play in the game. Columbus got their lone goal from Voronkov, while Merzlikins stopped 24 out of 28 shots in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Blue Jackets lost three games in a row against Anaheim, Washington, and Philadelphia. Columbus has scored 3.23 goals per game and they have allowed 3.58 goals against per game, while also going 18.1% on the power play and 72.9% on the penalty kill this season. Zach Werenski has led Columbus with 10 goals, 21 assists, and 112 shots on goal, while Elvis Merzlikins is 9-9-2 with a 3.11 goals against average and an .887 save percentage this year. 

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning are 16-10-2 this year after they defeated Seattle by a score of 5-1 in their last game. Tampa Bay trailed 1-0 early in the game, but they scored the last five goals in the game for the win. The Lightning outshot Seattle by a total of 31-22, won 47.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay got goals from Guentzel, Hagel (2), Point, and Carlile, while Johansson stopped 21 out of 22 shots in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Lightning defeated Calgary by a score of 8-3 but did lose to Edmonton by a score of 2-1 before that. Tampa Bay has scored 4.00 goals per game and they have allowed 2.89 goals against per game, while also going 28.2% on the power play and 79.5% on the penalty kill this season. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 14 goals, 32 assists, and 92 shots on goal, while Andrei Vasilevskiy is 13-9-1 with a 2.41 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage this year. 

Why the Lightning will beat the Blue Jackets

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last seven games at Amalie Arena.
• The Lightning have won each of their last six Tuesday games at Amalie Arena.
• The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games at Amalie Arena.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Lightning have won the third period in 13 of their last 15 games at Amalie Arena following a road win.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Lightning’s last four night games at Amalie Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine Tuesday games as underdogs have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3’ market has hit in each of the Lightning’s last eight games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 14 of the Blue Jackets’ last 15 night games at Amalie Arena.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Brayden Point has scored at least one goal in each of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one point in each of his last 13 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
• Victor Hedman has recorded at least one assist in 10 of the Lightning’s last 11 games as favorites against the Blue Jackets.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Kirill Marchenko has scored at least one goal in each of the Blue Jackets’ last three night games at Amalie Arena.
• Zach Werenski has recorded an assist in each of his last six appearances at Amalie Arena.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances in night games at Amalie Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction 

Columbus comes into this game trying to snap a four-game losing streak, but they have not played well on the road. The Blue Jackets are 4-10-2 on the road, while the Lightning are 8-4-1 at home this year. Tampa Bay has won two games in a row by a total of 13-4, and they have won four of their last five. The Lightning have one of the best power plays in the NHL and they are scoring four goals per game. Take Tampa Bay to win by at least two goals here. 

David Racey's Pick: Lightning -1.5