The Columbus Blue Jackets are red-hot! The Union Blue have won 4 straight, including both legs of the recent road trip. Their 5-1-0 record is tied for the best start in franchise history (with 2009-10). Now they return for a 4 game homestand as leaders of the Metro Division.
Their opponent tonight is an equally hot team in the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Bolts fell just short of the playoffs last season, despite the absence of captain and star Steven Stamkos (only 17 games played). Stamkos is back and the Lightning were a popular preseason pick.
The standout this season is not Stamkos, but rather his linemate Nikita Kucherov.