Blue Jackets Struggle to Score Against Lightning
Columbus, ranked 29th in the NHL with 2.44 goals per game, hosts Tampa Bay on Thursday in the second game of a back-to-back.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Hockey
The Columbus Blue Jackets average 2.44 goals per game, ranking 29th in the NHL, and have scored two or fewer goals in nine of their past 11 games. They host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday in the second game of a back-to-back set.
Why it matters
Scoring output has been the central problem for Columbus, which lost 4-1 to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday despite more than 70 shot attempts. Coach Rick Bowness said players missed the net on Grade-A chances, a shortfall that has cost the team offensive opportunities.
Columbus has averaged 2.44 goals per game, 29th in the NHL, and recorded a season-high seven goals against Colorado on Nov. 3. Over 70 shot attempts against Florida on Tuesday did not translate into goals, and the data does not explain whether the shortfall is a finishing problem or a shot-quality problem.
The players
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, competing in the National Hockey League's Metropolitan Division.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey franchise based in Tampa, Florida, and a perennial contender in the National Hockey League.
Nikita Kucherov
Nikita Kucherov is a Russian professional hockey forward for the Tampa Bay Lightning known for his scoring production.
The details
Columbus lost 4-1 to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Zach Werenski said team chemistry is a problem and the team must pick up the pace, while Tampa Bay, which beat Buffalo 8-3 on Wednesday, has won four of its past five games and will be without its regular starter, with backup Dennis Hildeby expected in goal for Columbus.
Timeline
Nov. 3: Blue Jackets score seven goals against the Colorado Avalanche, a season high.
Tuesday, Nov. 10: Blue Jackets lose 4-1 to the Florida Panthers.
Wednesday, Nov. 11: Lightning defeat the Sabres 8-3 in Buffalo.
Thursday, Nov. 12: Blue Jackets host the Lightning in Columbus.
Season Trajectory
Columbus's scoring rank places it at the bottom of a league where offense has been constrained since the post-2005 rule changes shifted play toward defense. The gap between Columbus and playoff-caliber scoring teams will shape how the Blue Jackets approach the standings in the months ahead.
The Blue Jackets' scoring trouble affects fantasy rosters and standings math, since each loss to a team like Tampa Bay narrows the path to a playoff spot. Fans attending Thursday's game will see whether the team can convert the chances it generated against Florida.
The takeaway
Scoring consistency is the clearest test for Columbus this month, and Thursday's game against Tampa Bay offers an early measure of whether the team can turn its shot volume into goals.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Columbus Hockey coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KNBR.
