Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction for Thursday November 12 2026

Tampa Bay heads to Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Thursday night for a 7 PM ET matchup with the Blue Jackets. This is the second game in two nights for the Lightning, who played Buffalo on Wednesday. That’s worth thinking about because Tampa Bay has been a much better team overall, but the road hasn’t always been kind. Columbus has been struggling to score, and I don’t particularly like its chances of keeping up if the Lightning get going early. The betting line still needs to be verified. The heat on the ice is warming up and you should make sure you are ready for all the action with our free NHL picks.

Tampa Bay Has the Offense to Win This One

The Lightning entered Wednesday at 11-4-2, although they were only 3-4-2 away from home. That’s a strange split for a team playing this well. Tampa Bay has gone 6-2-2 over its last ten games, so the overall form has been good. But playing in Buffalo Wednesday and traveling to Columbus for Thursday isn’t exactly ideal. The Lightning need to avoid coming out flat.

Tampa Bay has been scoring 3.6 goals per game while allowing 3.1. That offense gives the Lightning a pretty good advantage against Columbus, which has been scoring only 2.5. Tampa Bay doesn’t have to dominate every shift to win. It can capitalize on a couple of mistakes and suddenly put three goals on the board. The concern is the defense. Allowing more than three a night means the Lightning have been giving opponents opportunities, and Columbus could take advantage if Tampa Bay starts looking tired.

Brayden Point has been listed unavailable, which affects the Lightning’s offensive depth. That’s an important absence, particularly on a back-to-back. Tampa Bay needs its remaining forward lines to keep generating chances rather than relying on one group to do all the scoring. The goaltending decision also matters here. After playing Wednesday, the Lightning may have to adjust their rotation. I’d check that before putting money down.

Columbus Needs More Than Two Goals

Columbus is 7-9-0 and has won five of nine home games. The Blue Jackets have gone 4-6 over their last ten, and scoring has been the biggest problem. They’ve been competitive in stretches, but too many nights end with the offense struggling to get anything going. That’s a tough way to live in a league where even good defensive teams occasionally give up three or four.

The Blue Jackets are averaging only 2.5 goals per game and allowing 3.1. That’s not going to get it done consistently. Columbus has to work harder for quality scoring chances and stop relying on low-percentage shots. Tampa Bay has defensive weaknesses, so the opportunities should be there. The question is whether Columbus can actually finish them. The Blue Jackets also need to stay out of the penalty box because giving Tampa Bay extra offensive opportunities is asking for trouble.

Columbus needs more production from its forward group, especially at even strength. The Blue Jackets can’t afford another game where the defense plays reasonably well but the offense disappears. Against Tampa Bay, getting traffic in front of the net and collecting rebounds will be important. The Lightning are coming off a game Wednesday, and Columbus should try to make them work for every shift.

Tampa Bay Lightning vs Columbus Blue Jackets Picks and Prediction

Moneyline Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning

I’m taking Tampa Bay. I don’t love the back-to-back situation, and that road record bothers me. But Columbus has been scoring only 2.5 goals a game. Tampa Bay is at 3.6. That’s a pretty substantial difference. The Blue Jackets could make this interesting if the Lightning come out tired, but I trust Tampa Bay to generate more quality chances. Give me the Lightning.

Total Pick: Under — Pending Verified Line

I’m leaning under, and the reason is Columbus. The Blue Jackets haven’t been scoring much, and Tampa Bay could be a little sluggish after playing Wednesday. The Lightning have enough offense to put up four by themselves, which is the biggest danger. But I think Columbus will try to keep this game controlled rather than trade chances with Tampa Bay. Something around 3-2 Lightning makes sense. The actual total will determine whether there’s a wager worth making.

Final Picks: Tampa Bay Lightning Moneyline | Under (pending verified total)

Disclaimer: Completed November 11, 2026, before Tampa Bay’s game against Buffalo. Records, injuries, starting goaltenders, and betting lines should be updated before publication.