The Columbus Blue Jackets begin their March road trip in south Florida as they battle the Bolts for the third and final meeting this season.

Tampa Bay is working the financial books ahead of the trade deadline by signing and demoting forward Logan Brown and waiving to demote former Columbus winger Cam Atkinson. Goalie Jonas Johansson is expected to make his first start since Jan. 28. The Lightning are going with 11 forwards and 7 defenders tonight.

Columbus gets Yegor Chinakov back for the first time since November 27; however, they confirm Cole Sillinger will be on the injured reserve for the week.

Keys to Victory

1. Strong Starts — Columbus loves to score first, atop the league in that department at 38 times.

2. Russian Roulette — the battle of the Russians will be at the forefront for offensive power.

3. Steal from the Backup — with the first start of Johanssson since the end of January, Columbus must jump on the available points.

Projected Lineups

Tampa Bay Lightning

Jake Guentzel -- Brayden Point -- Nikita Kucherov
Brandon Hagel -- Anthony Cirelli -- Gage Goncalves
Mitchell Chaffee -- Nick Paul -- Michael Eyssimont
Zemgus Girgensons -- Luke Glendening

Victor Hedman -- J.J. Moser
Ryan McDonagh -- Erik Cernak
Emil Lilleberg -- Darren Raddysh
Nick Perbix

Jonas Johansson
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Scratched: Cam Atkinson, Logan Brown (both on waivers)

Injured: None

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dmitri Voronkov -- Adam Fantilli -- Kirill Marchenko
Yegor Chinakhov -- Kent Johnson -- Boone Jenner
Zach Aston-Reese -- Justin Danforth -- Mathieu Olivier
Joseph LaBate -- Sean Kuraly -- James van Riemsdyk

Zach Werenski -- Dante Fabbro
Denton Mateychuk -- Ivan Provorov
Jake Christiansen -- Damon Severson

Elvis Merzlikins
Daniil Tarasov

Scratched: Jack Johnson, Jordan Harris, Mikael Pyythia

Injured: Cole Sillinger (upper body), Erik Gudbranson (upper body), Sean Monahan (wrist), Owen Sillinger (shoulder), Kevin Labanc (shoulder)

Players to Watch

Tampa Bay — Nikita Kucherov — 2 goals and 3 helpers in his last 5 games, he is at 60 assists in the 24-25 season. He and MacKinnon are the only two skaters with more than 60 apples this year.

Columbus — Yegor Chinakov — Chinakhov will return to the lineup after being out since Nov. 27 because of an upper-body injury.

Predicted Final Score

CBJ — 6

TBL — 5

Overtime / Shootout

Gambling Corner

Tampa Bay is the heavy favorites at -170; Columbus is a +142 for the upset.

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Rumor Update

Atkinson reunion?

Olivier looking at 4 by 4?

Provorov is more than likely sticking around but could be an own rental as an extension is not even close.

After Ek promoted my post to the top slot over the weekend, this will be posted daily with my Twitter promotion of who may join and depart Columbus

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Eklund/Zac-MacMillan-with-Rumors-from-around-the-NHL-media-this-morning/1/127467

Rumor Mill

F Brock Boeser (VAN)

CBJ, MIN



F Elias Pettersson (VAN)

BUF, CAR, DET, MIN, DAL, OTT, CBJ, BOS



F Brock Nelson (NYI)

MIN, DAL, BOS, TOR, COL, WPG, CBJ, WSH,



F Brandon Tanev (SEA)

TOR, WSH, NYR, VGK, OTT, CBJ,



F Dylan Cozens (BUF)

Per Josh Erickson of ProHockeyRumors and Spencer Lazary of THN — CBJ

CGY, PHI, VAN, DET, TOR, NSH



F Rickard Rakkell (PIT)

CBJ



G James Reimer (BUF)

CBJ



G Vitek Vanecek (SJS)

CBJ



D Noah Dobson (NYI)

Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)

DET, MTL, VAN, STL



F Casey Mittlestadt (COL)

Per Jason Newland THN - CBJ

BOS, CGY, WPG



F Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA)

Per Spencer Lazar THN (CBJ)

UTH, VAN, NJD



D Jamie Oleskiak (SEA)

Per NHL Trade Talk Trade Board

CBJ, DAL, TOR



F Nick Robertson (TOR)

CBJ, SEA, UTH



Leaving Columbus?

2025 1 st Rd (BOTH)

Only for player with term

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