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Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets: A Battle of Wits and Strategy at Amalie Arena

As the Tampa Bay Lightning prepare to host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena, fans are in for a game that promises intense action and strategic gameplay. The upcoming match, scheduled for December 17th, will see these two teams face off in what is expected to be a thrilling encounter.


Nov 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons (28) carries the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Damon Severson (78) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Recent Performance Trends


The Tampa Bay Lightning have shown remarkable form in their recent games. With a notable victory against the Seattle Kraken, where they secured a win with a scoreline showcasing their offensive prowess and solid defense, the team has demonstrated their ability to perform under pressure. Their success was further highlighted by an impressive win over the Calgary Flames, where they dominated by capitalizing on powerplay opportunities and showcasing an aggressive offense that overwhelmed their opponents.


However, it wasn't all smooth sailing as they faced a setback against the Edmonton Oilers. Despite this loss, the team's resilience and ability to bounce back from adversity were evident. Analyzing these performances reveals key trends; Tampa Bay Lightning excels in powerplay situations and has a robust defense mechanism led by goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy's commendable saves percentage.


Nov 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrates his game winning goal in overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Key Players & Strategies


The spotlight will undoubtedly be on players like Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point who have been instrumental in recent victories through crucial goals and assists. Their synergy on ice alongside Jake Guentzel's scoring ability forms an offensive trio that could pose significant challenges for Columbus Blue Jackets' defense.


On the defensive end, maintaining discipline to minimize penalties will be crucial for Tampa Bay Lightning. Their performance against Calgary showed how effectively exploiting powerplay opportunities can turn the tide of the game. Thus, ensuring strong puck possession during even strength play while capitalizing on any given powerplays could be decisive factors in clinching victory.


Nov 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov carries the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Venue Influence


Playing at Amalie Arena offers an added advantage for Tampa Bay Lightning due to familiar ice conditions and home crowd support which historically has played into their favor. The energy from home fans can provide an extra boost of motivation for teams during critical moments of play.


As we look forward to this exciting matchup between Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on December 17th at 7:00 PM EST, fans can catch live action across various platforms including ESPN+ online or FDSSUN TV network among others.


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