{"id":45340,"date":"2019-04-13T11:17:01","date_gmt":"2019-04-13T15:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=45340"},"modified":"2019-04-13T11:17:01","modified_gmt":"2019-04-13T15:17:01","slug":"tampa-bay-lightning-and-columbus-blue-jackets-have-already-been-there","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/04\/13\/tampa-bay-lightning-and-columbus-blue-jackets-have-already-been-there\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets Have Already Been There"},"content":{"rendered":"

The highly anticipated series between the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/a> and Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a> is not proceeding how many foresaw. The Blue Jackets pulled off a miraculous comeback in Game One to claim it 4-3. Then in Game Two on Friday night, the Blue Jackets played even better and beat the Lightning 5-1. So now Columbus shockingly holds a 2-0 series lead. But in fact, both teams have already been there, it’s nothing new for them.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets Face Recent Memory<\/h2>\n

Last season, both teams ended up in similar spots as this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning claimed the Eastern Conference and the Blue Jackets finished seventh overall in the East. It is definitely surprising a lot that the Blue Jackets were able to win both games played at Amelie Arena in Tampa Bay. In fact, both the Lightning and Columbus have been there and they have the experience from the past season.<\/p>\n

During the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Lightning lost both of their opening two games at home against the Washington Capitals<\/a> in the Eastern Conference final. Earlier, the Blue Jackets won the first two road games versus the Capitals in the first round. We all know how that couple of stories winded up. Both Columbus and Tampa Bay have an experience they will try to learn from in the continuation of the series.<\/p>\n

Columbus Blue Jackets Blew A 2-0 Series Lead Last Season<\/h3>\n

In the past season, it was all quite similar just like now. The Blue Jackets faced the Metropolitan division champions in the Washington Capitals. The Caps were the heavy favorites\u00a0of the series. On the other side, the Columbus Blue Jackets were underdogs, but the first two games at Capital One Arena promised to bring the different story.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jackets won Game One after trailing 0-2 and they have never possessed a lead in that game. The Jackets completed their comeback in overtime with Artemi Panarin<\/a><\/strong>\u00b4s game-winner. In Game Two, the Capitals had another 2-0 lead, which the Blue Jackets managed to erase, they won\u00a0in overtime again thanks to a goal by Matt Calvert<\/a><\/strong>. Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a><\/strong> made 54 saves on 58 shots that night.<\/p>\n

The Blue Jackets have never won a playoff series before and they found themselves on the brink of doing that. In a challenging Game 3 at Nationwide Arena, it was a hard-fought battle, but the Capitals won it in double-overtime with Lars Eller<\/a><\/strong>\u00b4s tally. Ever since this point, the series was rather clear as the Caps won four straight to claim the series 4-2. It was disappointing for Columbus.<\/p>\n