The Tampa Bay Lightning (35-21-4) welcome the red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets (30-22-8) to Amalie Arena for what promises to be an electrifying Eastern Conference matchup on March 4.
The Blue Jackets enter the contest riding an impressive four-game winning streak, having scored 21 goals during this stretch while maintaining their grip on the top wild card spot in the East.
Tampa Bay's high-powered offense, led by the dynamic trio of Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point who have combined for 88 goals this season, continues to be one of the NHL's most formidable units averaging 3.56 goals per game.
Columbus's offensive revelation this season has been equally impressive, with Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnston spearheading an attack that averages 3.35 goals per game.
While the Lightning boast superior defensive statistics and the outstanding goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy (.923 save percentage), the Blue Jackets' recent offensive surge suggests this matchup could produce fireworks at both ends of the ice.
As these two playoff-caliber teams prepare to face off, fans can expect an intense battle between Columbus's explosive offense and Tampa Bay's well-rounded game plan.
This crucial late-season matchup could have significant implications for both teams' playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference standings.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets matchup, our predictive model gives the Blue Jackets a 54% chance of defeating the Lightning.
Pre-game probabilities
Columbus Blue Jackets
Moneyline
Win %
54%
46%
Tampa Bay Lightning
Columbus Blue Jackets: 54% win probability
- High-scoring offense (205 goals for, ranking among top 5 in Eastern Conference)
- Strong recent momentum (WWWWL in last 5 games)
- Consistent point accumulation (68 points in 60 games played)
Tampa Bay Lightning: 46% win probability
- Recent inconsistent form (LWWWW in last 5 games)
- Lower points-per-game ratio (74 points in 60 games)
- Goals against vulnerability (158 goals against, higher than several top teams)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts..
| Tampa Bay Lightning | Columbus Blue Jackets | |
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Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets are set for an electrifying Eastern Conference showdown at Amalie Arena, with both teams showcasing impressive form heading into this crucial matchup.
The Blue Jackets have been one of this season's surprise stories, riding a four-game winning streak and holding the top wild card spot with a solid 30-22-8 record, while the Lightning continue to demonstrate their championship pedigree, sitting comfortably in third place in the Atlantic Division at 35-21-4.
Columbus's offensive firepower has been particularly noteworthy, averaging 3.35 goals per game, with the dynamic duo of Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnston combining for an impressive 44 goals and 58 assists this season.
The Lightning's attack has been even more potent, led by the explosive trio of Nikita Kucherov, Brandon Hagel, and Brayden Point, who have accumulated a remarkable 88 goals and 128 assists between them.
A key matchup to watch will be between Columbus's struggling defense, allowing 3.25 goals per game, against Tampa Bay's well-rounded defensive unit anchored by Victor Hedman and supported by Andrei Vasilevskiy's outstanding .923 save percentage.
The Blue Jackets' Zach Werenski has been a bright spot on both ends of the ice, contributing 18 goals and 46 assists while leading the team's defensive efforts alongside Ivan Provorov.
Tampa Bay's recent acquisition Jake Guentzel has seamlessly integrated into their offensive scheme, forming a formidable secondary scoring threat with Nick Paul and Anthony Cirelli.
While the Lightning enter as favorites on home ice, the Blue Jackets' recent momentum and high-scoring capability suggest this could be a closely contested affair with plenty of offensive fireworks.
With both teams averaging over three goals per game and the total set at 6.5, fans can expect an up-tempo, high-scoring battle that could have significant implications for the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets form
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets head to head
Tampa Bay Lightning
67%
Columbus Blue Jackets
33%
Dec 18, 2024
Tampa Bay Lightning
5 : 3
Columbus Blue Jackets
Nov 22, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets
7 : 6
Tampa Bay Lightning
Apr 9, 2024
Tampa Bay Lightning
5 : 2
Columbus Blue Jackets
Feb 11, 2024
Columbus Blue Jackets
2 : 4
Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 2, 2023
Columbus Blue Jackets
4 : 2
Tampa Bay Lightning
Jan 11, 2023
Tampa Bay Lightning
6 : 3
Columbus Blue Jackets
