'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABfAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABwgQAAIBBAMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEBREGBzESFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMRAAICAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECESEAEjFh/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCqYzoSwHIcqqpgkf8AQuUtFOIglhEE4DgSR6UfcK6VCugTsmtJ2PSvTzWNsz8GwRYwoSTaIx8HpNKUZ2MSx5GU2OgWgAZ5d+5//9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Columbus Blue Jackets will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in NHL on Thursday.
Columbus are coming off a loss in their last game which puts them under pressure in this one. Placed last in the Eastern Conference Metropolitan with 22 points, they need wins on the trot to move up the table and survive their season.
Tampa Bay have done well lately and come on the back of a winning run in this matchup. They are placed third in the Eastern Conference Atlantic with 37 points. They will look to continue their winning run with good performances in the near future.
Trending
Blue Jackets vs Lightning Odds
Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins with DraftKings Sportsbook
Blue Jackets vs Lightning Match Details
Fixture: Blue Jackets vs Lightning
Date & Time: Thursday, December 15, 2022; 7 pm ET
Venue: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Blue Jackets vs Lightning Key Stats
Columbus have scored just 75 goals in 28 games this season due to their incapability to create enough goal scoring chances. Almost all major contributions have come through Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner, who have 10 goals each. They need a complete overall of their offensive unit to have a better impact on future games.
The defense has failed to perform and has conceded four goals per game on average this season. The goaltenders have done well individually, but could not scale enough to improve their defensive setup this season.
Tampa Bay has improved their scoring and they now average over three goals per game this season. Different players have been involved in their offense including Steven Stamkos. He has led their attack with 16 goals to his name. Stamkos will be an important player along with Nikita Kucherov as they look to win successive games.
Tampa Bay's changes in defense have started giving returns, taking the average of goals conceded to less than three per game. Their goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy's performances have had a big impact on results. However, there are a few gaps in their defense that need to be addressed in the season ahead.
Blue Jackets vs Lightning Betting Prediction
Columbus have failed to maintain consecutive wins this season and it exposes the weakness in their team. They have also been poor away from home, which further puts them in a difficult situation.
Tampa Bay have improved a lot to win five out of their last six games and are ahead in every department in this game.
The weak scoring rate and vulnerable defence of Columbus are likely to provide enough openings to strike in this game. With a balanced team, Tampa Bay are more likely to score more and defend it to cover the spread in this game.
Prediction: Take, Tampa Bay, -1.5(-135)
Bet $5+ on any sport pre-game ML, Get $150 If Your Bet Wins with DraftKings Sportsbook
