A clear difference in perception about the Columbus Blue Jackets can been seen now compared to when the playoffs started. Few gamblers gave the Jackets much of a chance against the Tampa Bay Lightning in their opening round series. And with plenty of good reason. Following their Presidents Trophy title as the NHL’s best regular season team Tampa was the justifiable NHL betting online chalk to win the Stanley Cup. However, in game one Columbus rallied from a 3-0 deficit at Tampa Bay to win 4-3. Can any one say ‘Reality Check?”
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Eastern Conference Playoffs
Date and Time: Tuesday, 16th April 2019
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio and Amalie Arena, Tampa, Florida
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lightning | -1½ (+195) | 6 (-110) | -140 |  |
| Blue Jackets | +1½ (-235) | 6 (-110) | +120 | |
| ||||
Blue Jackets vs. Lighting TV Coverage: NBCSN
Betting Columbus Blue Jackets
At the beginning of this series the Blue Jackets were given ZERO chance to upset the Lightning. Yet the Blue Jackets now lead the series 3-0 needing just one more win to eliminate Tampa Bay. Columbus has dominated much of the play and proven its no fluke. Sergei Bobrovsky has been sensational in goal with a save percentage of .940 for the Blue Jackets. By contrast Andrei Vasilevskiy has been lit up for an .866 save percentage for the Bolts.
Betting Tampa Bay Lightning
Extending what Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper has called a “five alarm fire” is the fact that Tampa Bay’s top players are not producing. Right wing Nikita Kucherov is yet to light the lamp. Additionally, he was suspended for game three due to an illegal check that could have merited more than a single game worth of punishment. Meanwhile center and team captain Steven Stamkos is also wearing the collar. In the first three games of the series Tampa Bay managed to scored only five goals. Counter to that is a total of 12 goals by Columbus.
Columbus head coach John Tortorella gave a fiery speech before the first game of the series commanding his team to not back off. He refused to be intimidated by Tampa Bay, despite their regular season dominance.
Late results show that Tampa Bay has been a strong NHL betting online value on the road. As an example, the Lighting have won 13 out of their last 16 away matchups. Seven of their last nine on the road have gone over the total. In the same way Columbus has shown the ability to get the money at Nationwide Arena. In their last six games at home the Jackets have paid their backers five times. Six of the last 10 home games for Columbus have gone over the total.
Head to head Tampa Bay has won six of their last 10 sportsbook meetings with Columbus. Additionally four of the last seven between these teams have gone under the total.
Matchup to Watch
On this occasion Tampa Bay has experienced real adversity for the first time all season. Counter to that is the constant turmoil Columbus went through all year. As a result, the Blue Jackets have the NHL Betting online advantage mentally.
Blue Jackets vs. Lightning NHL Betting Online Picks
Few teams are able to rally from 0-3 down. Columbus and Bobrovsky should finish the Lightning off.
Blue Jackets vs. Lightning NHL Betting Online Series Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets
Catch highlights of the Blue Jackets game three win over the Lightning!