Since their 16-game win streak, the Blue Jackets are 1-3. They are coming off a 5-3 loss at Carolina when All-Star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky missed the game due to illness. That was on Tuesday. Tampa Bay played last night and defeated the Sabres, 4-2, with Ben Bishop returning to the nets.

I like the scheduling dynamics here with the Blue Jackets in stop-the-pain mode under fiery John Tortorealla and playing on a full two days rest, while the Lightning are playing without rest and coming off a much-needed victory.

Recent trends confirm this. Columbus is 7-0 on two days rest. The Blue Jackets also have won eight of their last 10 road contests. Tampa Bay is 1-7 following a victory.

The Blue Jackets hope to have Bobrovsky back in goal. He's 4-1 the past five times after not playing during the previous game giving up seven goals in those five instances, including one during each of the last three starts. Bobrovsky has outplayed Tampa Bay goalies posting a 26-6-2 mark with a .931 save percentage.