Blue Jackets at Lightning
THE STORY: The Tampa Bay Lightning may have their best chance to climb back into the playoff chase in the next few weeks. The Lightning have won three straight, tied for their longest winning streak of the season, with five consecutive home games on the horizon. Tampa Bay hosts the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday before taking six days off for the All-Star break, a welcome stretch because of a growing injury list. The Lightning are nine points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, with three games in a row against teams in front them after the break. Tampa Bay won 3-2 at Columbus on Dec. 17 for its third win in four games against the Jackets. Columbus has lost three straight overall.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), SunSports (Tampa)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (13-29-6): The Blue Jackets have scored three goals in three games as they limp into the All-Star break. Rick Nash recorded his team-leading 17th goal in the 4-1 loss at Nashville on Monday. Other than injured Jeff Carter (10), no other player has scored more than nine goals. Vinny Prospal, who played 468 games with Tampa Bay, has 30 points – second on the team, but does not have a point in seven games. R.J. Umberger returned Monday after missing five games with concussion symptoms. Defenseman Nikita Nikitin is doubtful with a knee injury.
ABOUT THE LIGHTNING (20-23-4): The Lightning added forwards Ryan Malone and Dana Tyrell to the injury list that totals nine. The good news is that several could be ready to go after the break. Tampa Bay has been mixing and matching up front, but its big guns have been productive. Steven Stamkos, who had a goal and an assist against Columbus earlier, has 16 goals in 18 games. Marty St. Louis has 21 points in 17 games and Vincent Lecavalier 16 in 14. Teddy Purcell has also chipped in with five goals in six games.
OVERTIME:
1. The Lightning are coming off two consecutive road wins for the first time this season and are 12-7-1 at home.
2. Columbus is 1-2-0 against Southeast Division teams.
3. Tampa Bay and Columbus are the bottom two in the league in goals against.