The Columbus Blue Jackets (0-1-0) welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-1-0) at Nationwide Arena on Friday for their home opener. The Lightning are -190 favorites, and the total is 6.Tampa Bay is coming off a 3-1 loss against the Rangers on Tuesday. The Lightning committed four penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Steven Stamkos scored the only goal for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 36 of 39 shots in the loss. Columbus fell 4-1 to the Hurricanes on Wednesday. Patrik Laine was the only player to score for the Blue Jackets. Daniil Tarasov only had 39 saves on 43 shots against (.907%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Lightning won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Blue Jackets were 5-2 victors in their final meeting in April. Oliver Bjorkstrand led Columbus with two points (1G 1A). Elvis Merzlikins got the win, saving 25 of 27 shots (.926%).
FACING OFF
Tampa Bay averaged 3.48 goals per game last season, eighth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blue Jackets team that allowed 3.62 goals a game (28th). Meanwhile, Columbus found the net 3.15 times a game on average, 14th in the league, and the Lightning allowed opponents to score 2.78 goals per game (6th). The Lightning converted 23.94% of their power play opportunities (8th), while Columbus’ 78.57% penalty kill percentage ranked 20th. The Blue Jackets scored on 18.64% of their power play chances (24th). Tampa Bay’s PK% of 80.56 ranked No. 11.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
TB Lightning (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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