The Tampa Bay Lightning (32-13-4) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (23-20-7) at Nationwide Arena on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The Lightning have won three straight games.
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Get ready for this matchup by checking out our prediction for who will come out on top in Saturday's hockey action.
Over the past 10 games, the Blue Jackets have gone 5-4-1 while totaling 26 total goals (five power-play goals on 21 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 23.8%). They have given up 29 goals.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this matchup calls for a final tally of Lightning 4, Blue Jackets 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-127)
- Total Pick: Under 6.5 (computer predicts 6.2 goals on average)
- Spread Pick: Blue Jackets (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning are 7-4-11 in overtime contests as part of a 32-13-4 overall record.
- Tampa Bay is 7-7-2 (16 points) in its 16 games decided by one goal.
- Looking at the five times this season the Lightning ended a game with just one goal, they have a 2-2-1 record, good for five points.
- Tampa Bay has scored exactly two goals in 11 games this season (3-5-3 record, nine points).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals in 31 games (27-4-0, 54 points).
- In the 15 games when Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal, it has a 10-3-2 record (22 points).
- In the 26 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 14-9-3 (31 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents in 22 games, going 17-4-1 to record 35 points.
Blue Jackets Splits and Trends
- The Blue Jackets have earned a record of 9-7-16 in overtime matchups as part of an overall mark of 23-20-7.
- In the 21 games Columbus has played that were decided by one goal, it racked up 22 points.
- In 11 games this season when the Blue Jackets ended a game with just one goal, they earned a total of six points (2-7-2).
- Columbus failed to win all seven games this season when it scored exactly two goals.
- The Blue Jackets have scored three or more goals 30 times, earning 47 points from those matchups (21-4-5).
- Columbus has scored a single power-play goal in 13 games this season and has registered 17 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Columbus is 13-10-3 (29 points).
- The Blue Jackets have been outshot by opponents 23 times this season, and earned 24 points in those games.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Blue Jackets AVG | Blue Jackets Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3.45 | Goals Scored | 2.9 | 22nd |
| 2nd | 2.45 | Goals Allowed | 3.26 | 23rd |
| 20th | 27.3 | Shots | 30 | 4th |
| 6th | 25.9 | Shots Allowed | 30.6 | 31st |
| 18th | 19.61% | Power Play % | 19.35% | 19th |
| 2nd | 84.52% | Penalty Kill % | 75.71% | 28th |
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
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