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Stanley Cup Playoffs: 3 takeaways from Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Game 2

ByDave Stevenson|
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 12: Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts as members of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate their second goal during the first period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - APRIL 12: Cedric Paquette #13 of the Tampa Bay Lightning reacts as members of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate their second goal during the first period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena on April 12, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
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stanley cup playoffs lightning blue jackets
Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images

After the Columbus Blue Jackets surprised the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs series, the Jackets put on an encore performance in Game 2. Here are three takeaways from a shocking Game 2 that saw Columbus with 5-1.

The Tampa Bay Lightning came into the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the overwhelming favorites to lift the Stanley Cup at the end. They have now been shocked twice by the Columbus Blue Jackets. After coming back from a 3-0 deficit in Game 1, the Jackets won 5-1 in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead.

Obviously, Columbus was in the same situation last year and it didn’t end well for them. But Tampa seems completely overwhelmed and frustrated by the Jackets. Last year, even with Columbus up 2-0, the Washington Capitals never seemed overwhelmed.

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After a historic regular season, anything less than a Stanley Cup will be disappointing for Tampa. What would that make a first-round exit? It would be the most significant and largest upset in NHL history. Without a doubt.

Worst of all, the Bolts might not even have their best player, Nikita Kucherov, after he made a very dangerous and questionable hit towards the end. The odds were stacked in Tampa’s favor. Now they could be stacked against them. Here are three takeaways from a shocking Game 2.

3. Coming Out Firing

The Blue Jackets had a horrendous start to Game 1, to say the least. By the end of the first 20 minutes, they found themselves in a 3-0 hole. While the Jackets came back from that deficit, it’s not ideal to have such a bad start.

This time around, it was Columbus who got off to a strong start. Star forward Cam Atkinson got the scoring started just over five minutes into the first period.

After Mikhail Sergachev got called for hooking, Columbus didn’t need long to score on the ensuing power-play, as Zach Werenski scored right off the draw to make it 2-0.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1116847907364274176

The Jackets needed to come out strong after Game 1. They sure did, putting Tampa behind 2-0 early. In Game 1, Columbus got pushed around early and they were lucky to come back. It seems they learned their lesson, as they were the ones pushing the Bolts around in Game 2.

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