Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction 10/18/2025 Today’s NHL Picks

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets meet Saturday in NHL action at Nationwide Arena. Here’s a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include a Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Pick.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Preview

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Capitals and Red Wings, and they play the Blackhawks next. The Lightning have lost 5 of their last 6 regular season games.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are averaging 2.8 goals per game and are scoring on 23.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Nikita Kucherov leads Tampa Bay with 2 goals, Jake Guentzel has 4 assists, and Brandon Hagel has 11 shots on goal. Defensively, the Tampa Bay Lightning are allowing 3.6 goals per game and are killing 89.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 14 goals on 123 shots faced, while Jonas Johansson has given up 3 goals on 33 shots.

Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Devils and Avalanche, and play the Stars next. The Blue Jackets have won 7 of their last 10 games.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 2.75 goals per game and are scoring 9.1 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 4 goals, Zach Werenski has 2 assists and Sean Monahan has 11 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.25 goals per game and are killing 53.3 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 4 goals on 59 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 7 goals on 87 shots.

Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win

• The Lightning have lost each of their last nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Blue Jackets have won each of their last nine games as favorites 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 nine night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The home team has covered the puck line in seven of the last eight games between the Lightning and Blue Jackets.
• The Lightning have lost the second period in five of their last six road games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Why the Tampa Bay Lightning will win

• The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last six night games following a home loss.
• The Lightning have won three of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Lightning’s last five games.
• The Lightning have won the second period in five of their last six road games when tied after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Blue Jackets’ last four games as favorites against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Lightning’s last four night games against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 18 of the Blue Jackets’ last 19 games as home favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2’ market has hit in 14 of the Lightning’s last 15 night games against opponents on a losing streak.

Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts

• Adam Fantilli has scored at least one goal in four of the Blue Jackets’ last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one point in each of the Blue Jackets’ last 16 games as home favorites.
• Zach Werenski has recorded at least one assist in 15 of the Blue Jackets’ last 16 games as favorites.

Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Facts

• Brayden Point has scored a goal in three of the Lightning’s last four games against the Blue Jackets.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded at least one point in 18 of his last 19 appearances against the Blue Jackets.
• Jake Guentzel has recorded an assist in each of his last five appearances against the Blue Jackets.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
• The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 31st in the league for shots against per game this season (37.0).
• The Tampa Bay Lightning are one of only four teams in the league to rank top 10 for both power play and penalty kill percentage this season.
• The Tampa Bay Lightning rank T4th in the league for Period 1 goals scored per game this season (1.20).

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction

As I said yesterday, the Lightning haven’t been that impressive in the regular season dating back to the end of last year, and I want even less to do with them on the end of a back to back. The Lightning have also played two straight overtime games, so there’s sure to be tired legs here. The Blue Jackets don’t have much going for them out of the gate, especially defensively, but they’re at home and have the rest advantage. The over is worth a look given the history between the Blue Jackets and Lightning. As a side, I’ll take a shot with the Blue Jackets, but its another fade of Tampa Bay more than anything.