Preview: Blue Jackets, Lightning Set for Crucial Eastern Conference Clash TAMPA, Fla. (Interstat) — The Tampa Bay Lightning look to solidify their playoff positioning when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on Tuesday night in a key late-season Eastern Conference matchup. The Lightning (39-23-0) enter with a seven-point edge in the standings over the Blue Jackets (32-31-0), who are fighting to stay in the wild-card race. Tampa Bay seeks to rebound from a wild 8-7 road loss to Buffalo on Sunday, a game in which their offense erupted but their defense faltered. Columbus arrives after a draining 5-4 overtime loss to Los Angeles on Monday, their second straight OT defeat at home. Despite the recent setbacks, the Blue Jackets have earned points in five of their last seven games (4-2-1). A focal point will be the performance of each team’s top offensive catalyst. Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov is riding a hot streak, with six points (two goals, four assists) in his last two games, including a three-point night in the loss to Buffalo. For Columbus, center Charlie Coyle has been a consistent force, recording at least one point in seven consecutive games. He tallied an assist in Monday’s loss and has compiled two goals and eight assists during his personal point streak. The season series has favored Columbus, with the Blue Jackets winning both prior meetings. They earned a 3-2 victory at home on Oct. 18, 2025, and an 8-5 win on Jan. 24, 2026. Tampa Bay’s recent form has been uneven, with a 3-3-0 record over its last six games. The Lightning’s potent attack, led by Kucherov, will test a Columbus team playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Columbus will need secondary scoring behind Coyle, with Conor Garland coming off a two-goal performance Monday and defenseman Denton Mateychuk adding a goal and an assist. According to National Statistical’s game simulator, the projected final score is 4-3 in favor of Tampa Bay. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT. The Lightning begin a three-game homestand before a lengthy Western Canada road trip. The Blue Jackets continue a three-game road swing in Florida on Thursday.