Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, 10/18/2025 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025

Location: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH

TV: Fanduel Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Lightning (-145) Blue Jackets (+125)

Nationwide Arena is the site where the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-3-0) will attempt to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-1) on Saturday. The odds on this game have Tampa Bay at -145 and Columbus is at +125. The over/under comes in at 6.5.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to get a win in their next outing after their 3-2 loss to the Capitals their last time out. The Lightning left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this defeat. In the game, they netted 2 of the 19 shots they launched. Furthermore, they had 2 power play tries and notched 1 goal. Tampa Bay earned 10 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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In relation to their scoring, the Tampa Bay Lightning have racked up 13 goals (20th in the NHL) over the course of the season and have conceded 16. For the season, they have recorded 3 points and their points percentage sits at .375. Tampa Bay is sitting with 10 power play opportunities and they have added 3 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 30.00%. When playing at even strength, the Lightning have allowed the opponent to score 14 goals while notching 10 of their own. Tampa Bay has taken 84 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 15.5%. The Lightning so far have had 126 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .873. Tampa Bay Lightning opponents have earned 16 power play opportunities (14th in hockey) and have a total of 2 goals in those chances.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Andrei Vasilevskiy. Opponents have scored 1,347 goals against Vasilevskiy in his career and his average for goals against per game is 2.53. Vasilevskiy has been in net for 543 games during his pro hockey career. His save percentage currently sits at .917 for his 28,627 minutes in the crease. He has compiled a win-loss record of 331-165-36 and he has gotten the start in 533 games. Over the course of his career, Vasilevskiy has tallied 306 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .574. Vasilevskiy has had 16,199 shots taken against him and has recorded 14,852 total saves.

In their last game, Columbus squared up with the Avalanche in a game where the Blue Jackets took the loss by a score of 4-1. They had 2 chances on the power play in this one but weren't able to score a goal. The Blue Jackets converted 1 goal of the 23 shots on goal they attempted.

During this campaign, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned a total of 11 goals, 2 points, and a points percentage of .250. They have allowed 13 goals to be scored by way of 6 goals at even strength and 7 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Blue Jackets have tallied 10 goals at even strength and 1 goal (32nd in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have a total of 11 power play opportunities and they have a power play rate of 9.09%. Columbus has tried 127 shots (16th in the league) and has a shooting percentage of 8.66%, while allowing their opponents 148 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill rate of 53.33% on their opponents 15 chances on the power play, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.2%.

Across the rink you will find Jet Greaves in net. He has accounted for 716 saves out of 774 shots attempted, which gives him a save percentage of .925. Greaves has amassed a lifetime mark of 10-11-2 and has been in goal for 23 games. He got the starting nod in 22 contests and has played for a total of 1,118 mins. Greaves' quality start rate sits at 72.7% and he has qualified for 16 quality starts in his NHL career. The opposition is averaging 2.64 goals per game and he has relinquished 58 goals in total.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Tony's Pick: Take Tampa Bay (-145)

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