Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Blue Jackets vs Lightning NHL Odds
Looking for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Blue Jackets taking on the Lightning on Friday January 13th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(28-8-4) Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (19-19-4)
Date: Friday January 13th
Time: 8:00 PM
Venue: Amalie Arena – Tampa, Florida
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Tampa Bay -125
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Live NHL Odds
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Friday the 13th will see the 1st place Columbus Blue Jackets travel to the Sunshine State to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Both teams have faced tough stretches over the last two weeks and hope to rebound in this one.
The Blue Jackets were dominant through most of the season but have now lost three of their last four games including a 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes on Tuesday. They are still holding onto 1st place in the Metropolitan Division but need to kick start things here.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have struggled even more over the last two weeks. Things won’t get much easier as this will be the second game of a back-to-back home set. Prior to Thursday’s game against Buffalo, the Lightning have lost four games in a row and five of their last six.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Between November 29th and January 3rd, the Columbus Blue Jackets went on a tremendous tear, winning 16 games in a row. It was only one game short of the record of 17 straight set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1992-93 season.
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However, they finally ran out of gas and now things have slowed mightily. They have lost three of their last four games, giving up at least five goals in every game, and the Carolina Hurricanes dominated them 5-3 on Tuesday.
Cam Atkinson scored his 5th goal in six games against the Hurricanes, bringing him to 20 goals and 40 points on the year. Brandon Saad also continues to roll with 15 goals and 34 points, and Josh Anderson adds nine goals and 16 points.
The Blue Jackets are still at the very top of the league with 60 points from 40 games and have an excellent 12-4-3 road record. They are scoring the 3rd highest amount of goals per game (3.33), allowing the 3rd lowest quantity on the defensive end (2.23).
Tampa Bay Lightning
It’s tough to find the positive for the Tampa Bay Lightning over the last couple of weeks. Prior to the first game of the back-to-back against the Buffalo Sabres, they have dropped four in a row and are in desperate need of some positive momentum.
They have been unable to stop anyone recently, giving up a total of 22 goals during the four game skid. They have allowed 84 shots on goal just over the last two games. Andrei Vasilevskiy started all four of those, making 115 saves on 135 shots total.
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Vasilevskiy is 10-9-2 with a 2.97 GAA and has lost one to Columbus, a game in which he gave up five goals. It is possible that Ben Bishop will return for the double-header though. He is 9-10-2 so far with a 2.79 GAA and 5-3-0 against the Blue Jackets.
Tampa Bay currently ranks 23rd in the league with 42 points in 42 games. They rank 12th in goals per game with 2.76 and allow the 6th most goals per game at 2.98.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Blue Jackets are 4-0 ATS in last 4 games against Atlantic Division
- Blue Jackets are 7-1 ATS in last 8 games against teams with losing record
- Lightning are 0-4 ATS in last 4 games
- Lightning are 1-5 ATS in last 6 games against teams with winning percentage over .600
Free Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Hockey Prediction:
The great 16-game win streak of the Blue Jackets actually began against the Bolts back in November. Although they are not likely to replicate the streak, they could repeat the results of that game. If Ben Bishop returns, it would greatly improve the chances for the Lightning, but even that won’t be enough to beat Columbus.
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NHL Free Score Prediction: Columbus 5 – Tampa Bay 2
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