NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets | 29 April, 7 AM (PST)

[Mary C]

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS: 

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: 

C | Brayden Point 

LW | Ondrej Palat 

RW | Nikita Kucherov 

LD | Victor Hedman 

RD | Mikhail Sergachev 

G | Andrei Vasilevskiy 

 

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: 

C | Boone Jenner 

LW | Patrik Laine 

RW | Jakub Voracek 

LD | Zack Werenski 

RD | Andrew Peeke 

G | Elvis Merzlikins 

 

 

Over the last three games, it is noticeable that the back-to-back defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning, may be rounding into playoff form since they defeated worthwhile opponents. The Lightning has surely been dominating their past few games, and they have become far more engaged at this point. However, the team should watch out for the Blue Jackets who currently have the fifth-highest goals against rate in this season’s league. Despite this fact, Columbus has not been having the greatest defense lately which allowed numerous goals against throughout the season.  

 

Starting off, the Columbus Blue Jackets currently has a record of 36-37-7 which ranks them 6th in the Metropolitan Division. The team has not been favored by the odds lately, only winning one out of their last five games. They continue in enabling several goals against with a controlled play to only 44.73 expected goals rate all throughout April 2022. The Blue Jackets have been struggling lately due to several injured players.  

 

Scoring leader Jakub Voracek with 99 points, 5 goals, 54 assists, and 21 PPA, along with Patrik Laine’s 26 goals, 5 PPG, and 167 saves, gives hope for Columbus to push through against the seemingly stronger Tampa Bay. 

 

The Tampa Bay Lightning has a record of 50-22-8 which places them 3rd in the Atlantic Division and 9th in NHL. They managed to defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs, 8-1, before winning over the Predators, 6-2. Additionally, the Lightning ended Florida’s 14-game win streak with an 8-4 win on the road. 

 

Scoring leader Steve Stamkos is all out in carrying the team with his 101 points, 39 goals, 62 assists, and 16 PPG. We also expect Brian Elliott to be effective, even quietly, for the upcoming match.  

 

Even though the Blue Jackets were able to win over Edmonton last April 26, it is clearly safe to say that the Tampa Bay Lightning will be striking hard on them. The key stats show that the Lightning is more prepared compared to the Blue Jackets. When Tampa Bay starts to build their momentum, we can only expect a multi-goal Lightning win. 

 

 

Thursday, April 29, 7 AM PST, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH.