The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Matthew Knies' two-goal game against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Maple Leafs' 5-3 win.

The Lightning need help on their blueline and have an intriguing target worth considering from the Blue Jackets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets last played away on January 20 against the New York Islanders. The Blue Jackets lost by a score of 3-1 in regulation, and their current league record is 22-18-7 for a 0.543 Points %. Columbus is defying expectations this season by not being bad. They're also not all that good, however.

The Blue Jackets sat a point back of both Eastern Conference wild-card berths with a 22-18-7 record heading into Wednesday's action.

But it’s also because five of my so-called sure things have been varying degrees of disappointments. Today, let’s run through those five teams I believed in back in October and rank them based on how close they are to reclaiming a spot in my top five.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak will miss Saturday's game against the Detroit Red Wings due to an undisclosed injury. He left Thursday's matchup against Anaheim after just 34 seconds of ice time after sustaining the injury.

Matthew Knies had two goals and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs held on late to down the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 on Monday night.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

Leafs star Mitch Marner is in the midst of one of his best seasons, and the 27-year-old was the catalyst of a 5-3 victory over the Lightning.

Matthew Knies put on a show with a three-point performance in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-3 victory on Monday, and as TSN's Mark Masters writes, his teammates have taken notice.

The Maple Leafs gave Joseph Woll what they called a 'maintenance day' on Tuesday, but have now curiously opted to start rookie Dennis Hildeby against Columbus, leading some to suspect that something may be up with Woll.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed veteran forward Max Pacioretty on the injured reserve list, retroactive to Jan. 18. That’s why the Leafs had to make a move and therefore recalled Jacob Quillan from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies in a corresponding move.