Where: Nationwide Arena Columbus, OH
When: 7 p.m. EST | Tickets: Check availability
Media: Television: Sun Sports/RDS | Radio: 970 AM WFLA
Opponent Coverage: Jackets Cannon
The Tampa Bay Lightning (27-14-4) continue their road trip as they face the Columbus Blue Jackets on (21-20-4) Monday night. The Lightning and Blue Jackets faced off earlier in the season, resulting in a 1-0 win for Columbus.
Road Warriors: The Bolts have been dominant on the road recently, winning seven of their last eight contests away from the Tampa Bay Times Forum. On Saturday, Tampa Bay defeated Philadelphia 6-3, snapping the Flyers‘ 10 game win streak at home. The win pushed the Lightning into a tie for first place in the Atlantic Division (tied with the Boston Bruins).
TAMPA BAY- Although the Lightning have had an injury-ridden season, they sit atop near the top of the Atlantic Division (tied with top points behind the Boston Bruins). Without its top players, Tampa Bay has surged to the third best record in the Eastern Conference. Bolt’s starting goalie Ben Bishop has been out of action for a week, but backup goalie Anders Lindback hasn’t let the team miss a beat. Lindback was one of the games top stars on Saturday when the Lightning defeated the Flyers 6-3. It could have been his best game this season. Lindback saved 35 of the 38 shots he faced.
Bishop was on the ice in Columbus and could be taken off of the IR today, but that is not guaranteed.
Desjardins has yet to take a turn in net, so signs pointing toward Bishop coming off IR
— Erik Erlendsson (@erlendssonTBO) January 13, 2014
COLUMBUS- The Bluejackets are 7-3-0 in their last 10 contests and have won four of their last five games. After the tilt with the Bolts on Monday night, the Bluejackets will play five games in nine days. Currently, Columbus sits seven points behind the second place Washington Capitals in the Metropolitan Division.
HOT STREAK
Lightning defenseman Matt Carle is now riding a six-game point streak (eight assists). He was a plus six on Saturday with two assists in the 6-3 win over the Flyers. Alex’s Killorn and his linemates (Valtteri Filppula and Teddy Purcell) have combined for a total of 38 points in the last 13 games.
INJURY REPORT
LIGHTNING – Defensemen Keith Aulie (upper body, out), goaltender Ben Bishop (wrist, day-to-day), J.T. Brown (upper body, day-to-day), defensemen Brian Lee (knee, out), defensemen Sami Salo (lower body, day-to-day), forward Steven Stamkos (broken right tibia, out). After taking a hit by the puck on his ankle, Salo had tests done but no further damage was found. He was not on the ice for the morning skate on Monday.
Blue Jackets – Forward Cody Bass (thumb, out), forward Jared Boll (bruised left foot, out), forward Blake Comeau (left knee, out), forward Marian Gaborik (broken collarbone, out), forward Jack Skille (upper body, out)
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