Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Blue Jackets vs Lightning NHL Odds
Looking for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning free hockey plays & Stanley Cup Playoff Odds? NHL betting sees the Blue Jackets taking on the Lightning on Wednesday April 12th at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping playoff picks on all NHL Hockey playoff games so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Blue Jackets Lightning matchup.
2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs – Round 1
(48-31-3) Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-17-3)
Date: Friday, April 12th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa Bay, FL
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Blue Jackets +240 | Lightning -270
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds:
NHL Betting Total: 6.5
Live NHL Odds
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Well, who saw that one coming? The Blue Jackets netted 3 goals in the third period to stun Tampa Bay 4-3 and take a 1-0 series lead on Monday. That game had a lot of “tortoise and hare” to it as the Lightning got out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st period but failed to close out.
Oddsmakers are calling game 1 a fluke as they’ve set the line for the rematch with Tampa Bay even a bigger favorite at -270. Did the Blue Jackets steal one Wednesday – or are they just on an unprecedented roll right now?
Columbus Blue Jackets
There’s no doubt Columbus has enjoyed a good run as they’ve now won 8 of their last 9, including a nearly incomprehensible six straight on the road.
The Blue Jackets have been powered by a great offense that has netted 4+ goals in 7 of the last 9. Can bettors expet the same Friday night and pounce on the ‘over’ of 6.5.
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The Blue Jackets’ win on Wednesday may have exorcised some demons for Columbus as well. They had gone 0-3 vs. Tampa Bay during the regular season, being outscored by a combined 17-3. Little brother didn’t take a knee in game 1 however, even when down 0-3 in the 1st.
What’s amazing is that Columbus scored their four goals on just 26 shots in game 1. Sergei Bobrovsky was just good enough too, stopping all but 3 of the Lightning’s 29 shots (.897). Can he keep TB at bay for a 2nd straight game?
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning loss on Wednesday was a colossal upset considering the team had gone 32-8-1 at Amalie Arena this season. Common consensus would say that the squad bounces back in Friday’s game 2 but Columbus might just be on a roll right now.
Nikita Kucherov was a non-factor in game one with just 2 SOG. Kucherov and Steven Stamkos combined for a -3 +/-and Tampa Bay completely shut down after climbing out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st. Do we see an angry team come out in game two?
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Another question from the series opener is what happened to Tampa Bay goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy? Columbus scored 3 goals in the 3rd on just 9 shots. Does that stick with the veteran or does he come out Friday with laser focus?
NHL Betting Trends:
- Blue Jackets are 6-0 their last six road games
- Blue Jackets are 8-1 their last 9 overall
- Lightning are 1-4 their last 5 playoff games as a home favorite
- Blue Jackets are 4-10 their last 14 games in Tampa Bay
Free Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Prediction:
A second straight Columbus win would be improbable, but it would also be profitable at +200. Can anybody see Tampa Bay going down 0-2 at home though after being one of the highest point scoring teams in league history?
Game 1 was on pace for an easy ‘under’ until the Columbus barrage in the 3rd. At the same time, the Blue Jackets effectively shut down the Tampa offense for the final two periods. One trend has a better chance of continuing in game 2, and it’s not Columbus scoring on 33.3% of their SOG.
4* Free NHL Playoff Betting Pick: Under 6.5
NHL Free Score Prediction: Lightning 3 – Blue Jackets 2
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