Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 4/28/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Thursday, April 28, 2022

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Bally Sports Ohio

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-275) Blue Jackets (+225)

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (36-37-7) will go up against the Tampa Bay Lightning (50-22-8) on Thursday. The moneyline on this game has the Lightning at -275 and the Blue Jackets are sitting at +225. The total comes in at 6.

The Tampa Bay Lightning were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 4-1 victory against the Blue Jackets the last time they stepped on the ice. Tampa Bay garnered 4 minutes in the box for this game. The Lightning had a solid offensive performance and it showed in the win. Additionally, they had 2 power play tries and were able to net 1 goal. In the matchup, they converted 4 out of the 32 shots they attempted.

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Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have totaled 247 power play opportunities (9th in hockey) and have come away with 47 goals in those chances. The Lightning have had 2,369 shots attempted against them and have earned a save percentage of .908. Tampa Bay has tried 2,474 shots and holds a shot percentage of 11.2%. While at even strength, the Lightning have surrendered 172 goals while getting 218 on offense. Tampa Bay has 251 power play chances and they have tallied 59 goals out of those tries, garnering them a percentage of 23.51%. For the year, they have accumulated 108 points and their points percentage is .675. In relation to their scoring capabilities, the Tampa Bay Lightning have racked up 277 goals (8th in the National Hockey League) this year and have given up 219.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Andrei Vasilevskiy. Vasilevskiy has played in 364 games throughout his pro hockey career. He has compiled an overall record of 228-101-24 and he started in 354 games. Opponents have racked up 888 goals against Vasilevskiy in his pro hockey career and his goals against average is 2.50. Vasilevskiy has had 11,002 shots taken against him and has gathered 10,114 saves. His save percentage currently is at .919 for his 21,330 mins in the crease. From the beginning of his pro career to now, Vasilevskiy has accrued 203 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .573.

In their last contest, Columbus squared up with the Lightning in a matchup where the Blue Jackets ended up taking the loss by a score of 4-1. They had 3 power play opportunities in this one and netted 1 goal out of those tries. The Blue Jackets converted 1 goal out of the 21 shots on goal they attempted.

On the campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have a total of 250 goals, 79 points, in addition to a points percentage of .494. They have granted a total of 290 goals to be scored by way of 241 goals at even strength and 49 goals while they were shorthanded. The Blue Jackets have accumulated 212 goals at even strength and 38 goals (26th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have a tally of 211 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 18.01%. Columbus has taken 2,392 shots (21st in pro hockey) and has earned a shot percentage of 10.45%, while allowing the other team 2,810 shots. They have a penalty kill rate of 78.51% on their opponents 228 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 89.7%.

Across the ice you will find Elvis Merzlikins between the pipes. Merzlikins has accrued a lifetime mark of 47-43-20 and has been in net for 118 contests. Merzlikins' quality start percentage comes out to 52.3% and he has 57 quality starts in his NHL career. He has tallied 3,281 saves out of 3,595 shots taken against him, which gives him a save percentage of .913. His opponents are averaging 2.89 goals per contest and he has allowed 314 goals overall. He got the starting nod in 109 contests and has played for a total of 6,519 minutes.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take Columbus (+225)

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