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Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets March 4th 2025
Betting on today’s Blue Jackets and Lightning game? Catch the action at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL, as the Lightning hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this Eastern conference contest is set at 6.5 goals, with the Lightning being favored by -1.5 goals at home against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus vs. Tampa Bay Key Information
- Teams: Blue Jackets at Lightning
- Where: Amalie Arena Tampa
- Date: Tuesday, March 4th
- Betting Odds TB -184 | CBJ +150 O/U 6.5
The Blue Jackets Can Win If…
Columbus dropped to 30-22-8 with a 7-2 loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets’ defense struggled early, allowing five goals in the first period. Columbus entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 9 goals easily surpassed the pre-game line of 6.5.
Damon Severson put Columbus on the board with 19:11 left in the second period, but the Capitals had already scored five times by then. Kevin Labanc added another goal for the Blue Jackets later in the second period.
Columbus took 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson scored his 4th goal of the season, and Kevin Labanc added his 2nd.
The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson’s goal 49 seconds into the second period. Labanc followed with a goal at 5:24 in the second.
Columbus’s defense struggled in their last game, allowing the first five goals of the contest and seven overall. Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but posted a 68.2% save percentage. The Blue Jackets’ defense finished with 10 takeaways and 17 hits.
- Through their last three games, the Blue Jackets have a record of 3-0. In terms of betting, the team went 3-0 puck line in these matchups. Their over/under record in these matchups is 3-0.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, Columbus has a record of 6-4. This includes going 9-1 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-4-1.
The Lightning Can Win If…
Tampa Bay’s 7-4 loss to the Jets dropped their record to 35-21-4. The Lightning led 2-0 early, but Winnipeg responded with seven of the game’s final nine goals.
The total was set at 6.5 goals, and the combined 11 goals easily surpassed that mark. Tampa Bay, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. Four different Lightning players found the net in the game.
In their recent 7-4 loss to the Jets, the Lightning took 30 shots on goal and scored four times. Brandon Hagel opened the scoring with his 7th goal of the season, while Brayden Point followed with his 8th, which came on a power play. Mitchell Chaffee added his 4th goal, and Nikita Kucherov netted his 10th, unassisted.
Tampa Bay scored twice in the first period, added a third goal in the second, and tied the game 4-4 in the third period before Winnipeg pulled ahead. The Lightning recorded 8 giveaways in the game.
After tying the game 4-4 in the 3rd period, the Lightning’s defense gave up three consecutive goals, including two empty-netters. Jonas Johansson made 27 saves with an 84.4% save percentage, but the defense also struggled with discipline, taking a penalty that led to a Jets’ power-play goal.
- Over their last three games, the Lightning have gone 2-1 straight up. This also includes going 3-0 puck line and an over-under mark of 0-3.
- Across Tampa Bay’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 8-2. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 8-2 and an over-under mark of 4-6.
The Lean
If you’re looking for a moneyline bet in this one, we have the Lightning coming out on top. However, with the lines sitting at -184, I’d recommend looking to the spread as our projections have the Lightning winning by more than one goal.
When it comes to a puck line pick, our choice is the Lightning to secure the win and cover. Expect the Lightning to dominate this one with a multi-goal win over the Blue Jackets.
When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6.5 goals, we believe that this game will remain below that figure, and we recommend wagering on the under.
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Blue Jackets Look to Extend Streak Against Lightning
The Columbus Blue Jackets return to action Tuesday night, looking to extend their four-game winning streak as they take on the Tampa Bay Lightning in the opener of a four-game road trip.
Fresh off an emotional Stadium Series victory in front of 94,751 fans at Ohio Stadium, the Blue Jackets now shift their focus to maintaining momentum against a Tampa Bay team coming off a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Columbus has been one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference, winning back-to-back games against Detroit to leapfrog the Red Wings in the playoff standings. Currently holding the top wild-card spot, the Blue Jackets know every game down the stretch will be crucial in securing a postseason berth.
Blue Jackets Riding Momentum After Special Stadium Series Win
Columbus’ first-ever Stadium Series appearance turned into a night to remember. The team honored the late Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, by arriving in outfits inspired by the former Blue Jackets star, who tragically passed away in August. The Gaudreau family led the team out of the tunnel, setting the stage for a 5-3 victory over Detroit.
After the game, forward Mathieu Olivier noted that Columbus has been playing at a different level since the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
“Since the break, the pace of play has upped and a lot of guys are stepping up,” Olivier said. “You add the Stadium Series to that, the in-season series against the Wings, it was like the perfect storm and obviously quite a magical moment tonight.”
One player who has been a consistent force for Columbus is Zach Werenski. The Blue Jackets’ top defenseman has been instrumental in their success, scoring the overtime winner in a 7-6 thriller against Tampa Bay on Nov. 21.
Werenski leads Columbus with 46 assists and 64 points, while right winger Kirill Marchenko has been the team’s most dangerous goal-scorer, netting 24 goals with 60 points on the season.
With their offense clicking and confidence soaring, the Blue Jackets will try to keep rolling against a Lightning team trying to find consistency.
Lightning Struggle Against Panthers, Look to Rebound
Tampa Bay saw its eight-game winning streak snapped in Monday’s 2-1 loss to the Panthers, a game in which they failed to convert on seven power-play opportunities.
Aleksander Barkov’s two goals were enough for Florida, while Brayden Point scored the lone goal for Tampa Bay, notching his team-leading 32nd goal of the season.
Despite a furious late-game push, including a last-second shot from Victor Hedman that rang off the post, the Lightning couldn’t find the equalizer, marking their first regulation loss since Jan. 28.
After the game, Point acknowledged the team’s power play struggles, which ultimately cost them a chance to win.
“We had some good looks, some good chances,” Point said. “(Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky) made some good saves or they got sticks on things. There are a couple of power plays, obviously, we would like back, couldn’t get set up, but it was just one of those games where the chances we got just weren’t going in.”
With starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy having played Monday, the Lightning will likely turn to backup Jonas Johansson for Tuesday’s matchup. Johansson, who has been out with a knee injury since the team’s last loss to Chicago, could be making his first start in over a month.
The Lightning enter play Tuesday five points behind both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers in the Atlantic Division, making this a critical game to keep pace in the tight playoff race.
Who Has the Edge?
The Blue Jackets have been one of the league’s hottest teams, playing with momentum and confidence after an emotional Stadium Series victory. With Werenski leading the charge on defense and Marchenko stepping up as a consistent scoring threat, Columbus has a real chance to extend its winning streak.
The Lightning, however, are playing at home, where they’ve been tough to beat all season. With Kucherov, Point, and Stamkos still leading one of the league’s most dangerous offenses, Tampa Bay is more than capable of bouncing back quickly.
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The biggest X-factor will be goaltending. If Columbus can take advantage of Johansson’s return from injury, they might be able to exploit some rust and keep their winning streak alive.
Will the Blue Jackets keep rolling and strengthen their playoff position, or will the Lightning rebound and get back in the win column? The answer awaits in Tampa Bay.
