Lightning vs Blue Jackets Game 4 Odds and Pick – Aug 17
- The Tampa Bay Lightning will be looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they battle the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday (Aug. 17, 3 pm EST) as heavy betting favorites
- The Lightning seized command of the series lead with a narrow 3-2 victory in Game 2 on Saturday night
- We’ve got you covered with all the odds and storylines ahead of Game 4 of this Eastern Conference first round series
It wasn’t easy, but the Tampa Bay Lightning finally found a way to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets in regulation for the first time in seven games with a narrow 3-2 victory on Saturday night. Now sporting a 2-1 series lead in their Eastern Conference first round matchup with Columbus, the Lightning look to Game 4 on Monday afternoon at 3 pm EST as strong -186 favorites in the Lightning vs Blue Jackets odds.
Lightning vs Blue Jackets Game 4 Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total at DraftKings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | -186 | -1.5 (+155) | O 5.0 (-114) |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | +160 | +1.5 (-186) | U 5.0 (-107) |
Odds taken Aug. 15th
Blue Jackets Come Up Empty in Fast Start
After being outworked and outplayed in a 3-1 loss in Game 2, it looked like the Lightning might suffer a similar fate on Saturday night’s Game 3 matchup, which they entered as -162 favorites. A lack of discipline on Tampa Bay’s part handed the Blue Jackets three power play opportunities in the first frame, including a lengthy two-man advantage, but a little luck and steady play from goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy kept it a scoreless contest until Alex Killorn cashed in with a weak goal late in the period to give the Lightning an early lead.
Cooper called the killed 5-on-3 Columbus power play the turning point in the game. "You go down one there, I'm not saying we couldn't come back, but you never want to chase the game." #Bolts #TBLvsCBJ
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) August 16, 2020
From there on, it was all Lightning, who brought fresh energy and a much needed edge to their play in Game 3. Tampa Bay dominated play as a result, surrendering just five total shots on goal from the start of the second period until midway through the third. And while that would typically give them ample opportunity to put away a team like Columbus, the Blue Jackets capitalized on their opportunities, scoring both their goals during that stretch.
Point, Hedman Complement Gritty Bottom Six
Brayden Point and Victor Hedman were the other goal scorers for Tampa Bay. Hedman has shown no ill effects from his recent ankle injury, and was finally rewarded for his steady play with his first playoff goal in two years.
Alex Killorn and Brayden Point after the Bolts 3-2 win talk about the defense, Killorn's goal and more!
Watch #GoBolts on FOX Sports Sun! pic.twitter.com/0LoB9pLvCi
— Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) August 16, 2020
Point has led the Lightning attack, recording at least a point in each of his six playoff outings this month, and now leads the team with six points. But the real stars for the Lightning on Saturday were the club’s bottom six forwards, who played a physical game, and didn’t back down from the rough stuff while wreaking havoc in front of Columbus goaltender Joonas Korpisalo. As expected, the Lightning’s win has given new life to the team’s odds to eventually win this series. Pegged as -225 chalk in the NHL playoffs series prices prior to Game 2, Tampa Bay has vaulted to massive -710 favorites in the wake of Saturday’s win.
Blue Jackets Enter Must-Win Territory
For the Blue Jackets, Game 3 represents an opportunity lost. Now entering must-win territory, Columbus will prepare for Monday’s Game 4 matchup listed as a lengthy +160 underdog.
OOF.
Bemstrom on the PP. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/TYlsQluPxd— Fuck Dave Portnoy ⬇️ (@TheReplayGuy) August 15, 2020
The Blue Jackets had their chances to put away the Lightning early on, but once again could not cash in on the power play. It certainly was not due to a lack of effort. The Blue Jackets had their fair share of chances, most notable among them being the open net that Emil Bernstrom missed during a lengthy two-man advantage. But after going 0-for-4 on Saturday, Columbus has scored on just two of 26 power play opportunities so far in the postseason, by far the worst numbers of any team still in the hunt.
Columbus Cashing In On Rare Scoring Opportunities, For Now
Columbus also managed to stay in the game with goals early in the second and third periods, but with just seven total shots on goal in the final two frames, the club cannot expect to keep pace with Tampa Bay while creating so few opportunities.
Just three shots on goal for the Blue Jackets in the third period. Just a clinic by the Lightning to close that one out.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) August 16, 2020
As the Blue Jackets proved last year against Tampa Bay, and in their qualifying round upset victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is foolish to count them out. While the Lightning’s top-ranked offense continues to struggle, averaging just 2.33 goals per game so far in these playoffs, Columbus remains a threat to rebound. But as long as the Lightning match them by playing their own frustrating style of hockey, and provide the Blue Jackets with fewer scoring opportunities, it is Tampa Bay that that will own the momentum in this series, and offer the value in the NHL playoff odds.
Picks: Tampa Bay Lightning to win in regulation (-106); UNDER 5.0 (-107)
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
