Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction for Saturday, October 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a clash of Eastern Conference teams looking to earn a victory as they collide on the ice in the Buckeye State when the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night, and we have the inside scoop with our Lightning vs. Blue Jackets prediction. Tampa Bay was in action on the road Friday night against the Red Wings in the front half of a back-to-back set that closes here. The Lightning fell 3-2 in overtime to the Capitals on the road in their previous game on Tuesday night. Columbus was downed 4-1 at home by Colorado in their previous game on Thursday night. In the last 10 meetings between the teams, the Lightning own a 7-2-1 advantage and have won the last two meetings, including a 6-2 home win in the most recent matchup on March 4. This article was published prior to the conclusion of Tampa Bay’s road game with Detroit on Friday night. Read more about this Lightning vs. Blue Jackets prediction! Our NHL Predictions are sure to provide a great payout. Check them out!
Tampa Bay Playing Second Game of Back-to-Back
Tampa Bay was in action Friday night against Detroit on the road, so they play the second game of a back-to-back situation for the second time this week here. The Lightning entered Friday 1-2-1 on the season and stood seventh in the Atlantic Division, five points behind Montreal for the top spot. Tampa Bay went into Friday tied for 14th in the league in goals per game as they put up an average of 3.25 goals per contest. The Lightning stands tied for 28th in goals against by allowing four goals per game. Tampa Bay is 3rd with the man advantage as they cash in on 30% of their chances with the man advantage this season. The Lightning are 10th in penalty killing as they successfully work through 87.5% of their shorthanded situations on the year.
Against Washington Tuesday night, Tampa Bay procured a point but couldn’t get the second as they fell in overtime. The Lightning owned an 8-7 advantage in shots in the opening period and skated off with a 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes of play. Jake Guentzel opened the scoring with his first goal of the season at 7:06 off assists from Ryan McDonagh and Anthony Cirelli. In the second period, the Lightning were outshot 8-5 and outscored 1-0 to leave the game even at one at the second intermission. Tampa Bay was outshot 11-6 in the third period with both teams scoring once, leaving the game even at two at the end of regulation. Brayden Point gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead with a power play goal, his second of the year, at 1:23 off assists from Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov. They gave up the tying goal less than four minutes later. In overtime, the Lightning was outshot 2-0 and gave up the winning goal to skate off with the OT defeat. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 25 saves for Tampa Bay, who were outshot 28-1, in the loss. With it being the second game of a back-to-back situation, Jonas Johansson (1-0-0, 3.02 GAA, .909 save percentage) is expected to get the start in goal here.
Left wing Nick Paul (upper body) is expected to be out until early November, while fellow left wing Zemgus Girgensons (undisclosed) is slated to be out until late October. Defenseman Max Crozier (undisclosed) was listed as doubtful for Friday’s tilt, so watch for updates.
Get Free $30 Credit for Premium Picks + Exclusive Discounts
Subscribe Now
Blue Jackets Look to Prevail at Home
Columbus suffered their second straight defeat as they were shut down at home by Colorado in their previous contest. The Blue Jackets entered Friday 1-3-0 on the season and stand tied for seventh in the Metropolitan Division, six points behind the Hurricanes for the top spot. Columbus is tied for 22nd in goals per game as they score an average of 2.75 goals per game. The Blue Jackets are tied for 19th in goals against as they surrender an average of 3.25 goals per contest. Columbus is tied for 29th in power play success as they have converted 9.1% of their chances with the man advantage. The Blue Jackets are 32nd in the league in penalty killing by successfully working through 53.3% of their shorthanded situations on the year.
Against Colorado on Thursday, Columbus was shut down offensively and ended up taking the loss on home ice. The Blue Jackets were outshot 12-7 in the opening period of play but skated off with the game scoreless at the first intermission. In the second period, Columbus was outshot 14-7 and outscored 3-1 to trail by that score after 40 minutes of play. Ivan Provorov opened the scoring with his first goal of the year at 1:36 off an assist from Kirill Marchenko. The Blue Jackets then surrendered three unanswered goals to trail by a pair at the end of the second period. In the third period, Columbus was outshot 10-9 and outscored 1-0 to wind up with the loss. Elvis Merzlikins made 32 saves for the Blue Jackets, who were outshot 36-23, in the loss. Jet Greaves (0-2-0, 2.06 GAA, .931 save percentage) is expected to get the start in goal here.
Miles Wood (face) is expected to be out until late October. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson (upper body) is questionable for this contest.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Pick
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Moneyline Pick
- Lightning -115
Tampa Bay is playing their second game in as many nights and its fourth game in six nights as they take the ice here. The Lightning, for their early-season struggles, are still a veteran team with plenty of talent and experience to work with, even in situations such as this. Columbus has had issues denting the twine with any kind of consistency in the early going. The Blue Jackets have netted 11 goals so far this season, but seven came in a win over Minnesota. That means they have scored four combined goals in their three losses. Four of their 11 goals have come off the stick of Marchenko. Tampa Bay is the better team, and they should skate away with the win here.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Over/Under Pick
- Over 6.5 (-115)
Tampa Bay has gone over the number in three of their four games this season entering Friday night. The Lightning have seen an average of 7.25 goals per game this season. Last year, the Lightning saw an average of 6.20 goals per game and that number climbed to 6.24 goals per game on the road. Columbus has stayed under the number in three of their four games this season as they have seen an average of six goals a night. The Blue Jackets had an average of 6.51 goals per game and that number rocketed to 6.95 goals per game at home. Seven of the last 10 meetings, including the last four, have wound up over the number. With both teams struggling defensively, this game winds up over the number.
Never Tried Winners and Whiners? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code DOLLAR
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
