The Columbus Blue Jackets have a clear problem: They’re struggling to score.
In an NHL in which three goals per game often give a team a decent shot at coming away with at least a point, the Blue Jackets are having a hard time on offense.
On Thursday night, Columbus will host Tampa Bay in the second game of a back-to-back set for the Lightning. The Blue Jackets likely will face backup goaltender Dennis Hildeby in the first meeting between the clubs this season.
Columbus ranks 29th in the league in scoring at 2.44 goals per game. That average includes a season-high seven-goal outburst against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 3.
Only the San Jose Sharks (2.43), Philadelphia Flyers (2.24) and Chicago Blackhawks (2.17) average fewer goals per game.
In nine of the past 11 contests, the Blue Jackets have scored two or fewer goals.
Columbus coach Rick Bowness expressed frustration at his players missing the net in a 4-1 loss against the visiting Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
“We had over 70 shot attempts. Some of them we’re getting (were) Grade-As (chances) that were missing the net. That doesn’t help,” he said. “When you miss the net, you’re missing two opportunities: the shot itself and a potential rebound.”
Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski said team chemistry is a problem and added that it is time to pick up the pace.
“It’s costing us right now, but the good part in all of this is I know it’s in (this room),” Werenski said. “But we’re kind of running out of time to get it going. We need to do it sooner rather than later. I thought we played hard tonight and a good game, but people don’t want to hear that.
“They want results, and we want results.”
The Lightning had no problem getting the proper results on Wednesday in an 8-3 blowout against the Sabres in Buffalo.
The club won for the fourth time in the past five games after Nikita Kucherov recorded a natural hat trick in the third period and defenseman John Carlson had his first five-point outing.
The game marked the NHL debut of Tampa Bay top prospect Sam O’Reilly, acquired from the Edmonton Oilers for disgruntled first-round pick Isaac Howard in July 2025.
O’Reilly, who won consecutive Memorial Cups with different Ontario Hockey League teams, notched regular-season, playoff and Memorial Cup MVP awards in the same campaign to join Brad Richards, Corey Perry and Mitch Marner as the only players to do so.
“Obviously, it’s a hell of an opportunity,” said the 20-year-old O’Reilly, who assisted on Yanni Gourde’s first goal on Wednesday. “And just kind of give it my all and try to be where my feet are and kind of stay in the moment. Don’t try to think ahead or overthink stuff, and just try and play my game.”
The Toronto native was thrust into the Lightning’s top 6 after an undisclosed injury to top center Brayden Point, who may miss extended playing time.