Blue Jackets Start Road Trip Against Lightning

Columbus looks to tighten up defense after back-to-back overtime losses

Mar. 10, 2026 at 10:39am

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The Columbus Blue Jackets are starting a road trip against the Tampa Bay Lightning after dropping two straight overtime games at home. While the team has been scoring well, their defensive play has slipped, allowing at least four goals in five of their last seven games. The Blue Jackets are looking to tighten up on defense to have a chance against the high-powered Lightning offense.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets are fighting for a playoff spot, sitting two points behind Boston for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Improving their defensive play will be crucial as they try to make a late-season push for the postseason.

The details

In head coach Rick Bowness' first 11 games, the Blue Jackets were allowing just 2.18 goals per game and winning 10 of those contests. However, since returning from the Olympic break, they've struggled defensively, giving up at least four goals in five of their last seven games. This includes consecutive 5-4 overtime losses to the Los Angeles Kings and Utah Jazz. While the team has been scoring enough to win, their defensive lapses have resulted in them only earning one point in those two games.

  • The Blue Jackets played the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets play the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight, March 11, 2026.

The players

Rick Bowness

Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Conor Garland

Forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets, acquired at the trade deadline.

Denton Mateychuk

Defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

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What they’re saying

“We're scoring four goals, we should be winning games. You give up five (each) in the back-to-back, that's really disappointing. That's not who we are.”

— Rick Bowness, Head coach

“We competed hard. We fought back two games in a row, so we would have loved to earn the extra point both nights, but we had a lot of fight in here. You want to win hockey games. They're important this time of year, but to fight and get a point, hopefully it pays off toward the end. But you have to start winning games.”

— Conor Garland, Forward

“I think there were some plays that we'd like back. I think we still battled hard, and to come out of it with a point, it's all right. It's not the result we wanted. You have to move on. We play again tomorrow night, so just flip the page and get ready for tomorrow night.”

— Denton Mateychuk, Defenseman

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will need to tighten up their defense quickly to have a chance against the high-powered Tampa Bay Lightning offense tonight.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' recent defensive struggles have put their playoff hopes in jeopardy, but the team has shown fight in battling back in close games. Improving their play in their own end will be crucial as they try to make a late-season push for the postseason.