Blue Jackets vs Lightning Game 2 Odds and Pick – Aug 13

• Tampa Bay has made steady gains in the NHL odds after escaping with a 3-2 win in an epic Game 1 playoff matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets
• The Lightning look to Game 2 as heavy -186 favorites, and now sport short -500 odds of eventually eliminating Columbus from this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of this Eastern Conference matchup on Thursday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena

After eking out a narrow 3-2 win in a marathon Game 1 clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Tampa Bay Lightning will enjoy a much deserved day off before returning to action as heavy -186 favorites in Game 2 of this Eastern Conference first round matchup on Thursday afternoon at Scotiabank Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Tampa Bay Lightning Odds August 13

Odds taken Aug. 12. All odds include Overtime

Lightning Overcome Early Deficit to Claim Historic Game 1 Win

Eager to draw first blood in this series after being unceremoniously swept by the Blue Jackets in the first round of last season’s NHL playoffs, the Lightning once again struggled in Tuesday’s series opener, which they entered as big -175 chalk. Tampa Bay surrendered the first goal for the fourth time in five overall meetings with the Blue Jackets, and after knotting the contest at 2-2 early in the third, the Lightning needed over 90 minutes of overtime to finally seal the win in what ended as the fourth-longest playoff game in NHL history.

Brayden Point puts an end to the 4th longest playoff game in NHL history!

What an epic Game 1 win for the @TBLightning. #GoBolts | #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/0cdRih1XGg

— NHL on NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) August 12, 2020

While the Lightning are happy to take home the win, which marks their first playoff victory over Columbus in five tries, they still have plenty of work to do to kickstart what was the highest-scoring offense in the NHL during the abbreviated regular season.

Bolts Offense Still Sputtering

Tampa Bay has managed to pick up the win in three of four overall postseason contests so far this month, but goals have come at a premium. The club has tallied just 10 total goals in those contests, with just six coming at equal strength in regulation time. That unenviable trend extends to their past six dates with the Blue Jackets, in which they have averaged a meager 2.17 goals per game, extending a steady 6-2 run for the UNDER in totals betting when these two clubs meet.

The Lightning in the round-robin so far:

Blew a 2-0 lead against the Capitals and won 3-2 in SO

Blew a 2-0 lead against the Bruins and won 3-2 in regulation.

— BRAYDEN POINT APPRECIATION PAGE (@44NotDown) August 6, 2020

Despite that spotty offense, the Lightning have made substantial gains in the NHL playoff series prices in the wake of their Game 1 win, and now sit as massive -500 favorites to knock off Columbus, and atone for last year’s playoff disappointment.

Korpisalo Stars in Heartbreaking Defeat

For the Blue Jackets, Tuesday’s loss could prove to be the biggest test of character the franchise has ever faced. With goaltender Joonas Korpisalo turning in another stellar performance, making an NHL record 85 saves, Columbus once again took advantage of their opportunities on offense, twice seizing the lead in Game 1. The Blue Jackets frustrating defensive style also took its toll on the Lightning, who took five penalties in the game, including an early tripping minor to Alex Killorn that Columbus turned into a 1-0 lead.

Through 4 overtimes vs the Lightning, Blue Jackets goalie Joonas Korpisalo has 85 saves, setting the NHL record for most saves in a playoff game.

The previous mark was 73, set by the Islanders' Kelly Hrudey on April 18, 1987, in a 4-OT, Game 7 win over the Capitals. pic.twitter.com/NFAnxSwqMb

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 12, 2020

Of course, with the Blue Jackets once again demonstrating their ability to shut down a high-powered offense in the same fashion that worked so effectively in their qualifying round upset of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is unwise to count them out of this series. But falling to defeat after holding off the Lightning attack through four-and-a-half overtime periods will be tough to bounce back from, at least in Game 2.

History Not on Blue Jackets Side

Indeed, the Blue Jackets will have to buck historical trends to rebound in Game 2. Prior to Game 1, just seven NHL playoff games needed more than three overtime periods to be settled. And things did not go well for the losers in those contests.

Here are the 13 longest games:

13. 120:40, NY Americans 3-2 over NY Rangers, 1938
12. 121:09, Montreal Canadiens 3-2 over Detroit, 1951
11. 125:43, Buffalo Sabres 1-0 over NJ Devils, 1994
10. 128:47, NY Islanders 3-2 over Washington Caps, 1987
9. 128:52, MTL 2-1 over NYR, 1930

— Nachos. (@nachofiesta) August 12, 2020

Just two of five losing teams have rebounded to win the next game in the series when there has been one, and all but one of the marathon losers also went on to the lose the series. Not surprisingly, the Blue Jackets have taken a dive on the series prices, where they now lag as a distant +375 bet to bounce back and hand the Lightning yet another series loss.

Accentuate the Positive

However, the Blue Jackets may also take away some positives from Tuesday’s loss. It remains to be seen how much of a toll Victor Hedman’s 57:38 of ice time will take on his recently injured ankle. The Columbus penalty kill continued to impress, blanking the Lightning on their four power-play opportunities.

Victor Hedman shows his frustration as he's forced to the locker room following an apparent ankle injury pic.twitter.com/menWgz86CG

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) August 9, 2020

It would be so easy to follow one’s heart, and back Columbus as a +160 underdog in the Blue Jackets vs Lightning odds. But with Tampa Bay now holding the upper hand in what has quickly become an epic playoff history between these two clubs, look for them to bust out in Game 2 to a big win in regulation.

Picks: Lightning to win in regulation (-106); OVER 5.5 (+120)