3 takeaways from Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Blue Jackets Game 4

It wasn’t a pretty game, but the Tampa Bay Lightning’s gutty 2-1 win in Game 4 gives them a 3-1 series lead over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had some questions coming into this year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs after last year’s debacle. Yes, they had another great season, but could they get past the defensively-strong Columbus Blue Jackets? In Game 4, the Bolts showed they can play the tough, gritty style of hockey and still manage to win.

Game 4 was an exorcism of sorts for the Lightning. They were forced to play the game the way the Blue Jackets wanted to play it. And though it wasn’t pretty, Tampa came out on top and now has a 3-1 lead over Columbus.

This series is far from over, but the Lightning have the Blue Jackets with their backs against the wall. They have three games to put away a very tough opponent and put last year behind them. Let’s take a look at three takeaways from Game 4.

1. Cat Burglar

Throughout this postseason, Joonas Korpisalo has been outstanding for Columbus. He’s stolen several games for his team. In Game 4, Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy gave Columbus a taste of their own medicine, as he was the goalie who stole Game 4.

For the first time this series, the Lightning got outshot, as Columbus outshot them 29 to 22. Vasilevskiy made several five-bell saves and had the Jackets shaking their heads in frustration. He was especially huge during the first period and he was the main reason why the game was still scoreless after 20 minutes.

Korpisalo did quite well in net for Columbus, though his save percentage did drop a bit after only saving 20 of 22 (I kid). But for the first time this series, Vasilevskiy was the guy who was called on to steal a game and that’s precisely what he did. Tampa needs to play better in front of him moving forward, but considering how well they’ve been playing in front of him in previous games, maybe Game 4 was just a blip on the radar.