NHL action on Saturday includes the Columbus Blue Jackets (1-3) hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning (1-2-2) at Nationwide Arena, starting at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Blue Jackets vs. Lightning: Oct. 18 Viewing Options
- Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- How to watch on TV: ESPN+
- Location: Columbus, Ohio
- Venue: Nationwide Arena
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
Blue Jackets' 2024-25 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.26 | 7th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.26 | 25th |
| Shots | 29 | 10th |
| Shots Allowed | 29.9 | 28th |
| Power Play % | 18.92% | 23rd |
| Penalty Kill % | 76.96% | 22nd |
Lightning's 2025-26 Stats
| Stat | Per-Game Average | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 2.8 | 20th |
| Goals Allowed | 3.6 | 23rd |
| Shots | 23.2 | 30th |
| Shots Allowed | 31 | 27th |
| Power Play % | 23.08% | 9th |
| Penalty Kill % | 89.47% | 9th |
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Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Top Players
Blue Jackets
- With 23 goals and 59 assists last season, Zachary Werenski was one of Columbus' top contributors (82 points).
- Kirill Marchenko had 31 goals and 43 assists for Columbus last season, totaling 74 points (0.9 per game).
- With 57 points in 54 games last season (19 goals and 38 assists), Sean Monahan was an important part of Columbus' offensive attack.
- Last season for Columbus, Elvis Merzlikins (26-21-5) posted a 3.2 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .892.
Lightning
- Jake Guentzel's one goal and four assists in five games for Tampa Bay add up to five total points on the season.
- Brayden Point is a key piece of the offense for Tampa Bay with five total points this season. He has scored two goals and added three assists in five games.
- Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman is among the top offensive players on the team with four total points (zero goals and four assists).
- Andrei Vasilevskiy is 0-2-2 this season, compiling 107 saves and allowing 14 goals (3.5 goals against average) with an .884 save percentage (37th in the league).
Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Injury Report
Blue Jackets
Luca Marrelli: Out (Shoulder),
Miles Wood: Out (Upper Body),
Erik Gudbranson: Day-To-Day (Upper Body)
Lightning
Nicholas Paul: Out (Upper Body),
Zemgus Girgensons: Out (Undisclosed),
Niko Huuhtanen: Out (Undisclosed),
Nikita Kucherov: Day-To-Day (Illness),
Max Crozier: Out (Undisclosed)
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Blue Jackets' Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/11/2025 | Wild | W 7-4 | Away |
| 10/13/2025 | Devils | L 3-2 | Home |
| 10/16/2025 | Avalanche | L 4-1 | Home |
| 10/18/2025 | Lightning | - | Home |
| 10/21/2025 | Stars | - | Away |
| 10/24/2025 | Capitals | - | Home |
| 10/25/2025 | Penguins | - | Away |
Lightning's Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Score | Home/Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/13/2025 | Bruins | W 4-3 | Away |
| 10/14/2025 | Capitals | L 3-2 | Away |
| 10/17/2025 | Red Wings | L 2-1 | Away |
| 10/18/2025 | Blue Jackets | - | Away |
| 10/23/2025 | Blackhawks | - | Home |
| 10/25/2025 | Ducks | - | Home |
| 10/26/2025 | Golden Knights | - | Home |