Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Blue Jackets versus Lightning NHL Odds
Looking for Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lighting free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Blue Jackets taking on the Lightning on Thursday, April 22nd at the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Blue Jackets Lightning matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
(15-22-9) Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (30-14-2)
Date: Thursday, April 22nd, 2021
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Venue: Amalie Arena Tampa Bay Florida
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: OFF
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: OFF
NHL Betting Total: O/U 5.5
The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to take on The Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena, in what will most likely be a lopsided victory in favor of the defending Stanley Cup Champions. While that might not sound very interesting, especially since the Lightning is the heavy favorites to win, there could be some fun to be had with the over/under of 5.5. It might even be the single thing worth betting on in this game. With that being said though, do you go high or low?
Columbus Blue Jackets
What can really be said about the Columbus Blue Jackets that haven’t already been shouted in the void? It’s no secret they are one of the worst teams in the entire league and have trouble keeping the puck out of their own goal. In fact, they have given up a total of 21 goals in the last five games, which gives them an average of 4.2 goals allowed per game. Compare that to the fact that they have only scored eight points in the last five games, and you start to see a struggle to produce offense.
Putting it in broader terms, there are only five players on the current Columbus Blue Jackets roster that have a positive +/- this season. Furthermore, two of those three players are at zero, which basically means that while they are not a net loss, they still struggle with production. With that in mind, why even waste money or time on the Blue Jackets? There’s just nothing positive there to say right now.
Tampa Bay Lightning.
While the Tampa Bay Lightning took a huge 4-1 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes just a day before, their worst is still much better than what the Blue Jackets can do right now. Of course the Blue Jackets and Lightning have split their series 3-3 this season, giving some doubt as to whether Tampa can win, but it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if they did.
Looking closer at the Lightning, they are 2-3 in their last five games and have been outscored 12-20 during that time period. Now, that’s not a glowing endorsement of the Lightning by any means, especially if they want to repeat as Stanley Cup Finals champions later this year, but it should give gamblers an idea of how much scoring could go on over the course of this game.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Over is 7-0-1 in Blue Jackets last 8 overall.
- Over is 3-0-1 in Blue Jackets last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Over is 4-0 in Blue Jackets last 4 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Over is 7-0-1 in Blue Jackets last 8 games as an underdog.
Free Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Prediction:
This matchup just seems to scream shootout, making it almost impossible for the game not to go over the 5.5 point threshold. Not only is that evident by the Lightning averaging 27.2 SOG per game in the last five games, but also by the fact that two of their last five games ended in overtime. Interestingly enough, both of those games hit the five-score mark, which really might give gamblers some doubt about the following prediction.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Over 5.5
In the end, however, the Columbus Blue Jackets average around 1.6 points per game in the last five games and are going up against a team that has struggled on defense lately. Seriously though, star goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy, has given up 18 goals in the last five games, giving credence to the idea that this one is almost sure to hit the over mark. There are just too many factors at play for it not to.
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