NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets odds, picks, and predictions

The Tampa Bay Lightning (50-22-8) faces the Columbus Blue Jackets (36-37-7) at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). After Tampa defeated Columbus 4-1 at Amalie Arena on Tuesday, the two teams finish their home-and-home series on Thursday. Cannonball For the second game in a row, Steven Stamkos scored twice. In his last four games, he has six goals and eight assists, putting him over 100 points for the first time in his career. With 39 goals on the season, he'll be aggressive in this one.

Columbus has struggled offensively in recent weeks, and part of it is due to the absence of RW Patrik Laine, who has been out since April 16. Since then, the Jackets have only one win, yet they are 20-15-5 at home.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets projected goalies

Elvis Merzlikins (11-3-3, 2.33 GAA,.914 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Brian Elliott (11-3-3, 2.33 GAA,.914 SV%, 1 SO) (26-22-7, 3.25 GAA, .906 SV percent , 2 SO). Because there's no reason to utilize Andrei Vasilevskiy, the Bolts should go with the 37-year-old backup. Elliott hasn't played Columbus yet this season, but he was outstanding in April, with a 4-0-1 record, 2.18 GAA, and.910 SV% with 1 SO.

With a 2.62 GAA and.923 SV% in 11 games, Merzlikins has had one of his best months of the year. He made 28 of 32 saves in the loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, which was his only game against them this season. He's coming off a 33-save victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets picks and predictions

Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Lightning 2