The Tampa Bay Lightning (10-6-1) travel to face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7-9-2) on Thursday, November 21st. This game will be played at Nationwide Arena in Columbus and televised on ESPN+. Both the Lightning and Blue Jackets will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Lightning vs Blue Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Lightning fell to 10-6-1 after a 7-4 loss to the Jets. Tampa Bay’s defense struggled, giving up four goals in the third period. The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for 11.

Tampa Bay led 2-0 early, but the Jets responded with seven of the next nine goals. Four different players scored for the Lightning in the loss.

The Columbus Blue Jackets Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Columbus fell to 7-9-2 after a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, allowing five goals in the first period.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, and the teams combined for 9. Columbus, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover.

Tampa Bay Offense Breakdown

The Lightning fired 30 shots on goal and scored four times in their 7-4 loss to the Jets. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th.

Tampa Bay scored twice in the first period, added a third goal in the second, and tied the game 4-4 in the third period. The Lightning recorded 8 giveaways and picked up 4 assists on their goals.

Blue Jackets Offense Breakdown

Columbus managed just two goals on 36 shots in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson netted his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second period.

Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese recorded his second assist. Columbus had 13 giveaways in the game.

Tampa Bay Team Defense

Tampa Bay’s defense gave up the first goal at 7:37 in the 1st period, and after tying the game at 4-4 in the 3rd, they allowed three more goals, including two empty-netters. Goalie Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage.

Columbus Team Defense

Defensively, the Blue Jackets will need to regroup after giving up 7 goals on 22 shots from the Capitals. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but finished with a 68.2% save percentage. The defense also recorded 10 takeaways and 17 hits. The Jackets found themselves in an early hole, giving up 5 goals in the first period, including one just 56 seconds into the game.

Lightning vs Blue Jackets Trends

• Through their last three road games, Tampa Bay has an puck line record of just 0-3. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 3 goals per game.
• Across their last three home contests, Columbus has been good against the puck line posting a mark of 2-1. Their overall mark in these games was 2-1, while averaging 3 goals per game.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Blue Jackets have a straight up record of 4-6 and an puck line mark of 4-6.
• Over the team’s last five games as the favorite, the Lightning struggled vs the puck line going just 2-3. However, they still had a straight up mark of 3-2.

Lightning vs Blue Jackets Prediction

If you’re interested in a pure moneyline wager, then the Lightning is the preferred option. However, with a payout of -183, it might be worth considering this bet as a component of a larger parlay.

If you’re looking for a puck line bet, I’d suggest going with the Blue Jackets to cover. Even in the event of a Lightning victory, this game is expected to be closely fought, and the Blue Jackets should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.