The Tampa Bay Lightning are at Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Blue Jackets for the first time this season.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are in Columbus tonight to take on the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Tampa comes into this game with a three-game winning streak on the line. They're also 6-3-1 in the last 10 games and sit third in the Atlantic.
The Lightning are 17th on the power play which is not the norm, as they're usually in the top 10 on the power play. The Jackets give up the 7th fewest PIMs in the league and need to continue that trend. They can't let the Lightning PP get into a rhythm, so limiting their chances will help.
If the Blue Jackets can get Jonas Johansson, they may have a chance in this game. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been hot and recently won his 300th NHL game, so avoiding him altogether could be the key to this game for the Jackets.
The Jackets will also get Kent Johnson back tonight, which should help the offense if he can get his game back.
The Lightning are currently 3rd in the Atlantic, 7th in the East, and 14th in the league.
Series History vs. The Lightning
- Columbus is 10-12-3 at home vs. the Lightning and 15-27-7 in all meetings.
- The Jackets are 4-4-2 in the last 10 against Tampa Bay at NWA.
Who To Watch For The Lightning
- Nikita Kucherov has 40 points in 27 games vs. the CBJ. He also has 26 points this season.
- Victor Hedman has recorded 28 points in 38 games against Columbus. He has 17 points on the season.
- Andrei Vasilevskiy is 9-5 with a .919 save %. He won his last start on Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.
- Jonas Johansson is 1-1 with a save % of .866%.
- Former Blue Jacket Cam Atkinson has one point in 11 games.
CBJ Player Notes vs. The Lightning
- James van Riemsdyk has 32 points in 44 games vs. the Bolts.
- Zach Werenski has 13 points in 21 games.
- Kirill Marchenko has 6 points in 5 games.
Injuries
- Boone Jenner (shoulder) is on Injured Reserve on Oct. 7; (17 Games)
- Erik Gudbranson (upper body) is on Injured Reserve on Oct. 16; (14 Games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 76
How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.
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