Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks. predictions
The Tampa Bay Lightning (4-2-3) kick off a 4-game road trip against the Columbus Blue Jackets (3-4-2) Thursday at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Lightning vs. Blue Jackets odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Lightning have picked up at least 1 point in 6 consecutive outings, going 3-0-3. The last time Tampa Bay lost in regulation was a 5-2 setback in Ottawa on Oct. 15. The Lightning lost 4-3 in overtime on Monday at Amalie Arena, snapping a 2-game winning streak which included a pair of shutouts.
Tampa Bay has a dismal 0-2-1 record in 3 games on the road this season, and it is 3-2 in 5 games as a favorite, cashing on the puck line just twice in such situations. It lost 6-4 in Detroit on Oct. 14 in its only road game as a favorite.
The Blue Jackets have dropped 2 straight in regulation, and 4 in a row since its last win on Oct. 21, going 0-2-2. Columbus has played into OT in 3 of the past 5 outings.
At home, Columbus is 2-3-1 in the past 6 outings, with 2 losses via shutout. The Blue Jackets have a respectable 3-4 record as an underdog this season, while cashing at a 4-3 clip in 7 games on the puck line as a ‘dog.
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Lightning at Blue Jackets odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:07 a.m. ET.
Lightning at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Jonas Johansson (4-1-3, 2.73 GAA, .922 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (2-2-2, 3.14 GAA, .898 SV%)
Johansson was tagged for 4 goals on 43 shots in a 4-3 OT loss last time out against the Kraken at Amalie Arena, snapping a 2-start shutout streak. He is 0-1-1 on the road so far this season, allowing 8 goals on 72 shots. That’s good for a 4.08 GAA and .889 SV%.
Merzlikins was tagged for 4 goals on 32 shots last time out in Dallas, and is now winless in each of his past 3 outings. However, just the loss to the Stars came in regulation. He has allowed 3 or more goals in each of his past 4 outings.
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Lightning at Blue Jackets picks and predictions
Prediction
Lightning 5, Blue Jackets 2
The LIGHTNING (-170) are a little on the expensive side, but just below my personal limit for a singular money line wager.
Tampa Bay has won 5 of the past 6 outings when playing on 2 days of rest, and it is 7-3 in the past 10 against Metropolitan Division opponents. More importantly, the Lightning have won 7 of the past 10 trips to Columbus, while picking up 8 victories in the past 9 meetings overall.
The LIGHTNING -1.5 (+142) are a decent play on the puck line against the Blue Jackets +1.5 (-172). Tampa won all 3 regular-season meetings against Columbus last season, covering the puck line in each outing as a favorite. That includes a 5-2 victory in C-Bus on Oct. 14, 2022.
While the Lightning are just 3-1-1 in 5 games as a favorite this season, cashing on the puck line just 2 times, Tampa is a strong play against an opponent it has fared well against over the years.
OVER 6.5 (-120) is worth playing in this matchup.
The total has gone high in 5 of the past 7 meetings, while cashing in 6 consecutive meetings in Ohio’s capital city.
The Over is also 6-2-1 in the past 9 road games for Tampa Bay dating back to last season, while the total is 5-1 in the past 6 games for Columbus when playing on 2 days of rest. While the total has gone Under in 4 straight home games for the Jackets, go high on the total, and feel confident in doing so.
