1. Game Overview:
The Tampa Bay Lightning, one of the NHL’s hottest teams, travel to face a surging Columbus Blue Jackets squad in a compelling Eastern Conference matchup. This game presents a classic conflict between a team dominant all season and a club hitting its stride at the right time. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:10 PM EST on Wednesday, January 24, from Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The game can be viewed on FuboTV and Fox Sports 1260.
2. Team Form and Analysis:
The Tampa Bay Lightning (32-13-4) enter this contest on a three-game winning streak, reinforcing their reputation as a powerhouse in the East. Jon Cooper’s squad continues to execute with precision, leveraging their elite offensive talent and a veteran defensive corps. Their success is built on a balanced attack and the world-class goaltending of Andrei Vasilevskiy, a combination that makes them exceptionally difficult to beat, especially on the road.
The Columbus Blue Jackets (22-20-7) are playing their best hockey of the season, having won five of their last six games. This recent run has been fueled by contributions from across the lineup and stellar play between the pipes, highlighted by a recent shutout from Jet Greaves. Young talents like Adam Fantilli are finding the scoresheet, while veteran defenseman Zach Werenski provides a steadying presence and offensive punch from the blue line. They are looking to prove their recent success is no fluke by knocking off one of the league’s top contenders.
3. Injury Report:
The Tampa Bay Lightning are monitoring forward Jack Finley, who is listed as day-to-day with an undisclosed issue.
The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without defenseman Dante Fabbro, who is on injured reserve with a lower-body issue and not expected back until at least January 26.
4. Standings & Trends Analysis:
Based on the latest data, the discrepancy in team performance, particularly in specific situations, is stark.
Tampa Bay Lightning:
- Overall Record: 32-13. A premier record that establishes them as an elite team.
- Away Record: 19-4. This is a staggering mark. Winning over 82% of their road games is a dominant trend that cannot be overstated.
- Puck Line (PL): 24-25 overall, but an impressive 17-10 on the road. They don’t just win away from home; they often win by margin.
- Over/Under (O/U): 24-25 overall, with a 13-14 record on the road, indicating no strong lean toward high or low-scoring games.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
- Overall Record: 23-20. A respectable record for a team that has been fighting to stay above .500.
- Home Record: 12-8. They have a winning record at Nationwide Arena but are far from unbeatable.
- Puck Line (PL): 26-24 overall, but a dismal 9-15 at home. This is a major red flag, suggesting they frequently fail to cover the spread in their own building, either by losing outright as favorites or losing by more than a goal as underdogs.
- Over/Under (O/U): 25-25 overall, with a slight trend to the under at home (11-13).
5. Betting Odds Analysis:
- Moneyline: Lightning -120 / Blue Jackets +100
- Puck Line: Lightning -1.5 (+205) / Blue Jackets +1.5 (-260)
- Total: Over 6.5 (-102) / Under 6.5 (-120)
The moneyline is remarkably tight, pricing this as a near pick’em. The -120 on Tampa Bay suggests they are only slight favorites, an evaluation that seems to heavily weigh Columbus’s recent hot streak and home-ice advantage. The puck line tells a different story; the prohibitive -260 price on the Blue Jackets to cover +1.5 goals indicates the market is overwhelmingly expecting a one-goal game. The total is juiced towards the Under 6.5, aligning with the idea of a tightly contested matchup.
6. Prediction & Betting Angle:
Final Score Prediction: Lightning 4, Blue Jackets 2
The market has set a line that appears to be an overreaction to the Blue Jackets’ recent form. While Columbus has been impressive over the last two weeks, it doesn’t erase the season-long data that paints a clearer picture. The Lightning’s 19-4 road record is not an anomaly; it’s a testament to a championship-caliber roster that thrives in any environment. To get them at a price of only -120 against a team with a 12-8 home record is a significant value proposition.
Furthermore, Columbus’s dreadful 9-15 record against the puck line at home suggests they are consistently overvalued in their own arena. While the puck line odds imply a one-goal game, the value isn’t in paying a -260 premium for the +1.5 goals. The value lies in backing the far superior road team at a discounted moneyline price. Trust the larger sample size and the elite team.
The Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline (-120)
Disclaimer: This article is for entertainment purposes only. All betting information is provided for informational purposes and is not a recommendation to wager.
Sources:
Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning hockey Head To …
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets History
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning: Head-to-Head …
Rick Bowness, Head Coach – Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL.com Media Site – News – NHL Morning Skate – Nov. 17, 2025
John Tortorella – Wikipedia
NHL.com Media Site – News – #NHLStats Pack: 2020 Stanley Cup …
Jeff Blashill Named Head Coach of Chicago Blackhawks – USHL
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets hockey Head To …
Head Coach Columbus Blue Jackets Coaches History Tortorella …