Lightning head to Columbus in search of elusive second win

Game Six: Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-2) at Columbus Blue Jackets (1-3-0)

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus

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

Odds: Lightning +100

Know the Opponents: Jackets Cannon

The Lightning have little time to dwell on their overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. For the second time this week, they are on the backside of a back-to-back as they take on the Columbus Blue Jackets. Much like the Red Wings, Columbus has a young and quick team that could give the Lightning some fits if they don’t take care of the puck.

With the exception of their seven-goal eruption against the Minnesota Wild, offense has been a struggle for the Blue Jackets as they’ve scored a total of four goals in their three losses. Kirill Marchenko, who had a hat trick against the Wild, leads the way with four goals, and Dmitri Voronkov is the only other player with multiple goals, and he has two.

Despite an 0-2 record, Jet Greaves has been the better of the two goaltenders as he’s posted a 2.06 GAA and .932 SV%. Expect to see him in net tonight as they hope to take advantage of a Lightning team that is short-handed and struggling to score as well. Since neither team has been lighting the world on fire over their last few games, it’s going to end up being a crazy game like their meeting in Columbus last season.

Despite mustering just one win in their first five games, the Lightning are, at the very least, starting to get their defensive house in order. They’ve tightened things up in their own end during the road trip, limiting the dangerous chances that their goaltenders have faced. Jonas Johansson, who has their lone win of the season, will look to benefit from that play as he gets the start tonight.

Face-offs continue to be an issue for the Lightning, as they’ve yet to post a winning percentage above 50% in a game this season. After starting strong against the Red Wings, they finished at 44.1%, but in a bright spot, rookie Jack Finley won 7 of his 12 draws to lead the team at 58.33%. The importance of face-off wins varies depending on who is talking, but having a player that a coach can send out on the ice to win an important draw can be a key factor, especially in close games.

It’s the little details that have been tripping them up so far, and playing with jumbled up lines isn’t going to help things. Nikita Kucherov is doubtful again tonight as he deals with his illness, so the Bolts will have to try and find a way to pull off a victory against a team they should beat. If they can pick up their second win tonight, it’ll make their mini-break (they’re off until Thursday) a lot easier to stomach.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Columbus Blue Jackets

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