Beware the Tampa Bay Lightning. After acquiring Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand from the Kraken on Wednesday, they might be all the way back. Scout Jason Bukala provides analysis on the trade that puts the Atlantic Division on notice.
Victor Hedman and Jake Guentzel had two goals and one assist apiece as the Tampa Bay Lightning bounced back a night after having their winning streak snapped, beating the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 6-2 on Tuesday night.
The Lightning (36-21-4) have gone from a team battling for a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference to pushing toward the top of the Atlantic Division by going 10-1-1 in their past 12 games heading into their game against the Buffalo Sabres at Amalie Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN).
All five players who competed in the event are expected to be on the ice when Tampa Bay returns to action Sunday.
The Lightning wasted no time as they hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena on Tuesday. The Bolts were on their second night of a back-to-back, after facing the Panthers on Monday night. They quickly opened the scoring with two goals in 1:37,
Every Tuesday and Thursday, THN Fantasy expert Jason Chen will highlight his best picks to stream or roster for the rest of the season. The recommended players and goalies are rostered in less than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues and can be selected in standard fantasy leagues or for daily fantasy games.
The Lightning needed less than 90 seconds in period two before ballooning their lead, as Jake Guentzel redirected a Victor Hedman pass near the blue paint. Tampa Bay’s captain extended the Lightning lead with his windup shot from the left wall that bounced off a Columbus player and beat Merzlikins in the top left corner of the net.