Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Prediction, 3/10/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Location: Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL

TV: WXPX-TV

The Tampa Bay Lightning (39-19-4) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-9) at Amalie Arena on Tuesday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will look for better times on the ice after their 5-4 loss against the Mammoth their last time out. The Blue Jackets had a good offensive output in this loss. While out there on the ice, they scored on 4 of the 31 shots they put on net. In addition, they had 2 power play chances but weren't able to score. Columbus had 34 penalty minutes in this matchup.

When talking about their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have earned 195 goals (17th in the NHL) on the campaign and have surrendered 197. For the year, they sit with 73 points and their points percentage comes in at .589. Columbus comes into tonight with 148 power play opportunities and they have tallied 29 goals out of those tries, earning them a rate of 19.59%. When playing at even strength, the Blue Jackets have surrendered 158 goals while having 166 of their own. Columbus has attempted 1,853 shots and holds a shot percentage of 10.5%. The Blue Jackets have had 1,852 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .894. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have tallied 171 power play opportunities (26th in pro hockey) and have earned 39 goals in those attempts.

The man protecting the net in this game is Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have tallied 807 goals versus Merzlikins in his pro hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 3.19. Merzlikins has been in net for 269 games during his professional hockey career. His save percentage is .900 in his 12,989 mins played. He has an overall mark of 106-109-37 and he has gotten the start in 253 games. Throughout his time in hockey, Merzlikins has tallied 120 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .474. Merzlikins has seen 8,073 shots taken against him and has recorded 7,266 total saves.

Their last time out, Tampa Bay squared up with the Sabres in a matchup where the Lightning ended up losing by a score of 8-7. They had 2 power play opportunities in this contest and earned 1 out of those attempts. The Lightning scored 7 goals of the 28 shots on goal they were seeking.

On the campaign, the Tampa Bay Lightning have a total of 219 goals, 82 points, in addition to a points percentage of .661. They have permitted 170 goals to be scored by way of 134 goals at even strength and 36 goals while they were shorthanded. The Lightning have scored 176 goals at even strength and 43 goals (12th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have earned 194 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 22.16%. Tampa Bay has tried 1,763 shots (18th in pro hockey) and has a shooting percentage of 12.42%, while allowing their opponents 1,674 shots. They have accumulated a penalty kill rate of 82.00% on their opponents 200 tries on the power play, and their save percentage is 89.8%.

Across the ice you will find Andrei Vasilevskiy between the pipes. He has tallied 15,764 saves out of the 17,193 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .917. Vasilevskiy has amassed a career record of 360-173-38 and has participated in 582 games. He has started in 572 games and his ice time sits at 28,723 minutes. Vasilevskiy's quality start percentage is 58.6% and he has 335 quality starts in his career. His opposition is averaging 2.50 goals per game and he has yielded 1,429 goals altogether.

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

Parlays Pundit's Pick: Take Tampa Bay

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