Columbus vs Tampa Bay Prediction 13 November 2026
🔊 Columbus Blue Jackets have dropped to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and next up are Tampa Bay Lightning, who have just scored eight goals against Buffalo. The gap in results is clear, but the Blue Jackets have reason for optimism. Rick Bowness’s team beat the Lightning three times last season, with one of those wins particularly emphatic. Repeating that result will not be easy now. Columbus are having serious trouble converting their chances, while the visitors’ offence is among the highest-scoring in the league.
Columbus's three wins
📊 In last season’s league campaign, Tampa Bay Lightning never found a way past Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus won all three games by a combined score of 16:9. They first edged out a home win (3:2), before the teams played out a high-scoring game in January. Mason Marchment’s hat-trick helped the hosts win (8:5) and end the Lightning’s 15-game unbeaten run in regulation. In March, Columbus won on the road (5:2). Conor Garland scored twice, while Ivan Provorov and Kirill Marchenko also got on the scoresheet.
Head-to-head statistics Columbus - Tampa Bay
Plenty of shots, few goals
Columbus have just 14 points after 16 games. They have lost four of their last six, scoring more than two goals only once in that stretch. Their shot conversion has been poor: just 9.2% of their shots have found the net, with only two NHL teams posting a lower figure. Their penalty kill has also struggled, stopping 73.9% of opponents’ power-play opportunities. On top of that, Isac Lundeström and Conor Garland will miss the game through injury. Those problems look particularly concerning ahead of a game against one of the Eastern Conference’s highest-scoring teams.
The Blue Jackets had 38 shots on goal against Florida but scored only once. The first period was scoreless, and the visitors quickly took the lead in the second. Sam Bennett scored on the power play before Lars Eller capitalised on an error by Ivan Provorov. The defenceman made amends before the break, cutting the deficit with a shot through traffic. Columbus conceded twice more in the third period, however, and lost 1-4. Cam Talbot made 24 saves, while the team’s losing streak reached two games.
Match Results: Columbus Blue Jackets
Kucherov puts on a show in Buffalo
Tampa Bay Lightning have won seven of their last eleven games and remain in a playoff spot. Jon Cooper’s team score an average of 3.7 goals per game and convert 12.4% of their shots. Both figures rank among the NHL’s top ten. Their defence does not always cope with the pressure, though: Andrei Vasilevskiy has stopped 88.3% of shots this season. Brayden Point is out injured, while Erik Cernak was hurt in the last game and will probably miss the game against Columbus Blue Jackets.
In Buffalo, the Lightning opened with four unanswered goals but then nearly squandered their lead. By the start of the third period, the hosts had cut the deficit to one goal (3:4). That was when Nikita Kucherov took over. The Russian scored three goals in a row, the first less than a minute after Buffalo’s goal. He later assisted Brandon Hagel, who made the final score 8:3. John Carlson recorded five points, Jake Guentzel had four assists, and Vasilevskiy made 28 saves. Tampa Bay now face their second game in as many days, though.
Match Results: Tampa Bay Lightning
First-Period Prediction
Columbus have avoided defeat in the first period in 12 of their last 13 NHL home games. However, they have failed to win the opening period in seven of their last eight head-to-head games: both trends allow for a draw, but the head-to-head run does not, on its own, support a bet on Columbus avoiding defeat. We pick Columbus to avoid defeat in the first period (1X) at odds of 1.45.
Total Goals Prediction
Tampa Bay Lightning have scored more than 2.5 goals in 12 consecutive games. They average 3.9 goals per away game this season, while Columbus Blue Jackets allow an average of 3.0 goals at home. We pick Tampa Bay Lightning Team Total Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.52.
Reliable Bet
In seven consecutive away games involving the Tampa Bay Lightning, the teams scored over 5.5 goals, and each of those results would have won an Over 5 Goals bet. Their last 16 head-to-head games have featured over 4.5 goals, although the selected bet is refunded if exactly five goals are scored. We choose Over 5 Goals in the game at odds of 1.35.
*Odds are approximate and may vary between bookmakers.
⭐️ Editor's Pick
Columbus have not scored much lately, but games against Tampa often follow a very different pattern. The teams have scored more than 5.5 goals in nine of their last ten head-to-head games, and at least seven in six of the previous seven. Lightning away games rarely lack goals either: the total exceeded six goals in five of their last six. Tampa have also just scored eight against Buffalo, and average 3.7 goals per game. Columbus’s poor finishing is a slight concern, but the hosts’ problems on the penalty kill give the visitors additional opportunities. My pick is Over 5.5 Goals.
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Betting Tips: Columbus Blue Jackets - Tampa Bay Lightning
in 14 of last 15 games (NHL).in 8 of last 9 home games (NHL).
in 7 of last 8 games (NHL).
in 15 of last 17 home games against Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).in 12 of last 13 home games (NHL).in 8 of last 9 home games (NHL).in last 6 games (NHL).in last 5 away games (NHL).
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