Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 3/4/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+125) Lightning (-150)

The Tampa Bay Lightning (35-20-4) will compete against the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-22-8) at Amalie Arena on Tuesday. The line on this matchup has the Blue Jackets at +125 while the Lightning are coming in at -150. The total is set at 6.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the winning side of the scoreboard with a 5-3 win against the Red Wings in their previous outing. Columbus accounted for 4 penalty minutes in this contest. In addition, they had 1 power play opportunity and were able to notch 1 goal. The Blue Jackets had a impressive offensive outing in this win. While out there on the ice, they finished 5 of the 21 shots they launched.

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Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 162 power play opportunities (21st in the NHL) and have come away with 40 goals in those attempts. The Blue Jackets have had 1,772 shots tried against them and are the owners of a save percentage of .890. Columbus has attempted 1,724 shots and has a shooting percentage of 11.7%. When at even strength, the Blue Jackets have allowed the opponent to score 155 goals while earning 171 themselves. Columbus has 139 power play opportunities and they have added 30 goals out of those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 21.58%. For the season, they sit with 68 points and their points percentage comes in at .567. When it comes to their goal scoring prowess, the Columbus Blue Jackets have accumulated 201 goals (5th in hockey) on the year and have surrendered 195.

The player in the crease for this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have scored 677 goals versus Merzlikins in his career and his goals against rate is 3.85. Merzlikins has played in 231 matchups throughout his hockey career. His save percentage currently is at .903 during his 10,550 mins in the crease. He has earned an overall record of 90-93-34 and he has started in 217 games. For his career, Merzlikins has accrued 105 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .484. Merzlikins has seen 6,973 shot attempts against him and he has 6,296 total saves.

In their last game, Tampa Bay faced the Capitals in a game where the Lightning got the win by a final score of 3-1. They had 3 attempts on the power play in this contest and earned 1 out of those attempts. The Lightning recorded 3 goals of the 19 shots on goal they took.

Tampa Bay has taken 1,698 shots (19th in the league) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 12.37%, while allowing their opponents 1,688 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 81.08% on the other teams 148 power play opportunities, and their save percentage is currently 90.8%. They have a tally of 165 power play opportunities and they have earned a power play rate of 27.27%. The Lightning have scored 165 goals at even strength and 45 goals (4th in the league) while having a power play advantage. They have allowed 155 goals to be scored by of a combination of 127 goals at even strength and 28 goals while they were shorthanded. So far this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have earned a total of 210 goals, 74 points, as well as a points percentage of .627.

Across the ice you will find Jonas Johansson defending the net. Johansson is sitting with a lifetime mark of 29-25-10 and has played in 74 contests. Johansson's rate of quality starts comes in at 40.6% and he has made 26 quality starting assignments in his career. He has a tally of 1,767 saves out of 1,989 shots attempted, giving him a save % of .888. The opposition is averaging 4.10 goals per game and he has relinquished 222 goals altogether. He has started in 64 games and his ice time sits at 3,251 minutes.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-150) and under 6 goals

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