The Friday NHL schedule will get underway with a matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Columbus Blue Jackets from Nationwide Arena. The Lightning (0-1) have reached the Stanley Cup Finals three straight years and are still one of the top teams in the league. On opening night. Tampa Bay was outshot 39-26 during a 3-1 road loss against the New York Rangers.'
Tampa Bay C Steven Stamkos evened the score with a power play goal midway through the second period. Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point assisted for the Lightning, who lost 30 of 47 faceoffs.
The Columbus Blue Jackets scored a franchise record 258 goals last season, but failed to make the playoffs. The Blue Jackets (0-1) pulled off a major heist by signing LW Johnny Gaudreau (40 goals, 75 assists) away from Calgary in the offseason. On Wednesday, Columbus surrendered 43 shots during a 4-1 road loss against Carolina.
RW Patrick Laine put Columbus on the scoreboard first on a goal 11 seconds into the second period. Zach Werenski assisted for the Blue Jackets, who blocked 22 shots on the night.
Recent Betting Trends
- Lightning are 92-27 in their last 119 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Blue Jackets are 2-7 in their last 9 overall.
- Under is 7-3 in Lightning last 10 road games.
- Over is 34-13-4 in Blue Jackets last 51 home games.
- Lightning are 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Free NHL Pick:
Tampa Bay Lightning -178