Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA – Photo by Icon sport
Lightning vs Blue Jackets: Does Columbus stand a chance in this game?
The Tampa Bay Lightning are visiting the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Lightning have lost the last two games
The Tampa Bay Lightning are seventh in the Eastern Conference with a 27-20-5 record. They were on a three-game winning streak before losing to both teams from New York in the last two. The Lightning are ninth in the league, scoring 3.40 goals per game, and are ranked 25th, allowing 3.33. Nikita Kucherov has another impressive season, being on top of the league with 87 points and 54 assists.
The Blue Jackets are coming back home after a five-game road trip
The Columbus Blue Jackets are at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 16-24-10 record. They have lost four of the last six games but are coming off a 1-0 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Blue Jackets are 23rd in the league, scoring 2.92 goals per game, and are second to last, allowing 3.66 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau is the best player on the team, with 32 points.
Head-to-Head
Tampa Bay has won 8 of the last 10 games against Columbus. The Lightning have won 8 of the last 11 games overall, but have lost 4 of the last 6 games on the road. The Blue Jackets have lost 12 of the last 17 games overall, 8 of the last 10 home games, and 12 of their last 18 games against teams from the Atlantic Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Tampa Bay Lightning will play their third consecutive road game while the Blue Jackets are back from a five-game road trip but will play the next four on the road again. Tampa Bay lost the last two against the Rangers and the Islanders and is now just above the playoff line. Columbus is at the bottom of the conference, which speaks to the level they play at this season. Nikita Kucherov is among the top players in the league, and he will lead the Lightning to a much-needed win tonight in Columbus.
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