One more for the road: Lightning at Blue Jackets preview

Game Fifty: Tampa Bay Lightning at Columbus Blue Jackets (23-20-7)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Nationwide Arena, A 30-minute walk from the excellent Columbus Museum of Art

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, FDSNOH, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -125

Know the Opponents: Jackets’ Cannon

The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled off a shoot-out victory against a tired Chicago Blackhawks teams on Friday night. Twenty-four hours later, amidst a flurry of snow in Columbus, it will be the Lightning playing the role of weary travelers as they finish up their quick two-game road trip with a Saturday night tilt with the Blue Jackets.

Anthony Cirelli was in the line-up (and assisted on the game-tying goal), but the Lightning were without the services of Jack Finley for most of the night as he left the game for precautionary reasons following a first-period fight with Nick Foligno. If Big Jack isn’t ready to go tonight, Simon Lundmark could make his Lightning debut as the Bolts roll 11/7.

Tonight’s game marks the end of a long and winding series of road games for the Lightning. Since the turn of the year, they’ve played at home twice, with both outings being single-game home stands. The good news is that the road has been their friend as they’ve posted a 7-0-1 record in January. After tonight’s game, it’s nothing but home cooking as they have five straight home games (including one at Raymond James) leading up to the Olympic Break.

Standing in their way of extending a 15-game point streak is a Columbus Blue Jackets team that has won five of their last six outings, including a 1-0 shutout of Dallas in their last game. They will be rested and ready to test their success against the Lightning. Old friend Rick Bowness has taken over behind the bench after Dean Evason was fired, and it seems to have sparked the Blue Jackets a bit.

Jonas Johansson should be in net tonight against ‘Lumbus as the Bolts look to break a two-game winless streak in Ohio. Don’t expect anything fancy from the Lightning tonight. They need to keep things simple, get the puck out of their zone and finish their chances. They’ve found all types of ways to win this season, this one will be a grind-it-out type of match.

Potential Lines

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Columbus

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