Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets stunned the NHL-best Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Will Tampa Bay bounce back in Game 2 at home tonight by a decisive enough margin to win on the puckline and even the series?
Game Snapshot
51 Columbus Blue Jackets at 52 Tampa Bay Lightning
Friday, April 12, 2019
Amalie Arena at 7PM ET
TV: CNBC
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our NHL Odds & Betting Page.
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Lightning are a -265 favorite on the moneyline. The Blue Jackets are a +225 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6.5 goals. Tampa Bay is +105 o on the -1.5 puckline, while Columbus is at -125. As of Friday morning, 88 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Tampa Bay. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Blue Jackets rally back in Tampa
Columbus fell behind 3-0 through one period in Game 1 Wednesday before coming back to win 4-3 and stun the host Lightning. Nick Foligno put the Blue Jackets on the board with 10:45 left in the second period on a goal assisted by Josh Anderson. David Savard trimmed it to 3-2 with 12:04 remaining in the third period on an unassisted goal. With 8:06 left, a shorthanded score by Anderson evened the score at 3-3 with an assist going to Boone Jenner. The go-ahead goal was scored by Seth Jones on the power play with 5:55 remaining on assists by Artemi Panarin and Zach Werenski. Sergei Bobrovsky shook off a rough start to post the win, allowing three goals on 29 shots.
Lightning falter after dominant start
Tampa Bay looked every bit the part of the team that posted 128 points during the regular season in the first period Wednesday night as it took a commanding 3-0 lead through one period. Alex Killorn gave the Lightning a 1-0 advantage 4:12 in on an unassisted shorthanded goal. Anthony Cirelli made it 2-0 on a goal assisted by Erik Cernak and J.T. Miller at the 8:59 mark. Yanni Gourde put the hosts up by three goals with 2:10 left in the period off assists from Mikhail Sergachev and Jan Rutta. Andrei Vasilevskiy surrendered four goals on 26 shots in the defeat.
NHL Betting Trends
Columbus
The Blue Jackets are 6-0 in their last six road games. Columbus is 8-1 in its last nine games overall.
Tampa Bay
The Lightning are 6-1 in their last seven Friday games. Tampa Bay is 45-13 in its last 58 games overall.
Prediction:
The Lightning were punked on their home ice in Game 1, getting a little too confident after the big first period and allowing Columbus to rally back and gain confidence in the process. Don’t expect a repeat showing here. Tampa Bay beat a plethora of teams by multiple goals this season and its players know how big of a game this is as going down 2-0 with the series going to Columbus would be far less than ideal. Go with the Lightning to win by two or more goals here in a big showing.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING PL +105