Columbus Blue Jackets chase fourth straight win over Tampa Bay Lightning
Columbus Blue Jackets meet Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena, Friday 11:00am (NHL). Tampa Bay Lightning have won 25 of the 39 meetings with Columbus Blue Jackets since 2017.
The big picture
Columbus Blue Jackets come in 24th on the ladder; Tampa Bay Lightning are 8th. Tampa Bay Lightning are the side higher up the table.
Columbus Blue Jackets are 10–9 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 2.6 goals for and 2.8 against.
Tampa Bay Lightning are 12–7 in NHL 2026-27, averaging 3.5 goals for and 3 against.
Form
Columbus Blue Jackets have won two of their last five and most recently lost to Buffalo Sabres 2–5.
Tampa Bay Lightning have won three of their last five and most recently beat Chicago Blackhawks 4–1.
Head to head
These sides have met 39 times on our records since 2017: Columbus Blue Jackets 14, Tampa Bay Lightning 25.
Last time out (2025-26), Columbus Blue Jackets won 5–2 at Benchmark International Arena.
Columbus Blue Jackets have won the last three against Tampa Bay Lightning.
Biggest margin between these two: Tampa Bay Lightning by 6 goals in 2018-19 (8–2).
Players to watch
For Columbus Blue Jackets, watch Kent Johnson (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27) and Cole Sillinger (0.3 goals a game, 5 assists in 2026-27).
For Tampa Bay Lightning, watch Brandon Hagel (0.5 goals a game, 9 assists in 2026-27) and Jake Guentzel (0.5 goals a game, 7 assists in 2026-27).
Milestone watch
Cole Sillinger is 1 assists short of 100 for their career.
At Nationwide Arena
Columbus Blue Jackets have won 11 of their last 22 at Nationwide Arena.
What the numbers say
On form, ladder and history, Tampa Bay Lightning have the edge.
Written automatically from Line Ball's own match and player database. Not betting advice.
