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.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Tampa Bay Lightning NHL game to be played on March 4, 2025 on ESPN.

Mathieu Olivier likely won’t hit the open market as a free agent.

Mathieu Olivier has emerged as perhaps the NHL’s most feared fighter this season, but he’s also provided an unexpected offensive impact for the Columbus Blue Jackets, making him a rare talent in today’s league.