The Columbus Blue Jackets have received an upswing lately winning four of their last seven games. We still find them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference though, and I think they'll struggle in tonight's match-up against a Tampa Bay Lightning team looking to end a three-game slide.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Road Warriors - The Lightning's 4-2 loss at Philadelphia on Monday was their first in seven games outside of Tampa. They're 18-13-1 on the road for the season while Columbus has a losing home record.

2. Ben Bishop - Tampa's star netminder has posted a 1.20 GAA in winning five straight on the road and he has compiled a 1.33 GAA through three consecutive wins against Columbus. He's allowed three goals in two meetings this season and gave up just one on 29 shots in a 2-1 win here at Columbus on Dec. 14. The Blue Jackets Sergei Bobrovsky made a return from missing 19 games with a groin injury in Friday's 3-2 loss against the Pens and he will probably need a couple of games to get back to his best.

3. X-Factor - Steven Stamkos is without a point in his past five appearances. He's ready to break out with a burst of points at just about anytime now.

Selection: This is a play on the Tampa Bay Lightning (8*)