Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 2/10/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds
Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-162) Blue Jackets (+132)
The Tampa Bay Lightning (27-20-5) are en route to Nationwide Arena on Saturday where they will attempt to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets (16-24-10). The line on this matchup has Tampa Bay at -162 while Columbus opens at +132. The over/under is 7.
The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 6-2 defeat to the Islanders in their last outing. The Lightning didn't have a great showing offensively in this loss. While out there on the ice, they finished 2 out of the 20 shots they tried. Moreover, they had 2 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to notch 1 goal. Tampa Bay recorded 8 minutes in the box in this game.
Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have tallied 138 power play tries (30th in pro hockey) and have come away with 26 goals in those attempts. The Lightning thus far have had 1,539 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .888. Tampa Bay has tried 1,548 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.4%. While playing at even strength, the Lightning have surrendered 147 goals while notching 129 on offense. Tampa Bay has tallied 160 power play chances and they have tallied 48 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 30.00%. For the year, they have recorded 59 points and their points percentage sits at .567. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Tampa Bay Lightning have accumulated 177 goals (4th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have given up 173.
Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Andrei Vasilevskiy. Over the course of his time in hockey, Vasilevskiy has 251 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .568. He has a save percentage of .918 for his 26,579 minutes between the pipes. Vasilevskiy has had 13,659 shots taken against him and has recorded 12,533 saves. The opposition has scored 1,126 goals against Vasilevskiy in his pro career and his goals against average per contest is 2.54. He has earned an overall mark of 279-134-28 and he has started in 442 games. Vasilevskiy has been in goal for 452 games over the course of his hockey career.
Their last time out, Columbus played the Blues in a matchup where the Blue Jackets earned a win by a tally of 1-0. The Blue Jackets scored 1 goal of the 22 shots on goal they pursued. They had 2 power play chances in this contest but didn't put one in the back of the net.
So far this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have tallied 146 goals, 42 points, in addition to a points percentage of .420. They have granted a total of 183 goals to be scored by of a combination of 151 goals at even strength and 32 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have earned 125 goals at even strength and 21 goals (29th in pro hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have earned 143 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play percentage of 14.69%. Columbus has put up 1,475 shots (22nd in hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 9.90%, while allowing their opponents 1,667 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 77.62% on their opponents 143 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 89.0%.
Across the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins patrolling the crease. He has compiled 4,920 stops out of the 5,433 shots taken, which gives him a rate of .906. Merzlikins has a lifetime mark of 64-72-29 and has played in 178 games. He got the starting nod in 165 games and has played 9,776 mins. Merzlikins' rate of quality starts is 47.3% and he has 78 quality starts in his career. The opposition is averaging 3.15 goals per contest and he has relinquished 513 goals in total.
Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?
Tony's Pick: Take Columbus (+132)
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