The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Both teams are coming off a five time overtime Game 1 which the Lightning won 3-2. Here is the recap from Game 2 between the Blue Jackets and Lightning.
Blue Jackets: Elvis Merzlikiins, Adam Cledening, Andrew Peeke, Cam Atkinson, Markus Nutivaara, Nathan Gerbe, Stefan Matteau, Scott Harrington, Veini Vehvilainen, Kevin Stenlund, Gabriel Carlsson
Lightning: Scott Wedgewood, Braydon Coburn, Luke Schenn, Jan Rutta, Alexander Volkov, Carter Verhaeghe, Mathieu Joseph, Steven Stamkos
Both teams showed the after effects from Game 1 just from blocking shots early on in the period. But, it was the Lightning who controlled the game first by outshooting the Blue Jackets 4-0. Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored the game’s first goal 5:24 into the period. The Lightning continued to dominate offensively shooting the next four shots on goal after Kucherov scored. However, the Blue Jackets came back and scored on just their second shot of the period from Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray. The Blue Jackets scored again 1:25 left in the period on a power play from forward Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Columbus went into the second period with a 2-1 lead.
No goals were scored from either team but it was a back and forth period. The Lightning outshot the Blue Jackets 14-10. However, the Blue Jackets just got as many scoring chances as the Lightning did.
Columbus held onto their 2-1 lead heading into the third period.
Despite being outshot 11-6 this period, the Blue Jackets scored one goal to extend their lead to two. Blue Jackets forward Alexander Wennberg scored the goal 11:27 into the period. Also, the Lightning had momentum heading into the latter stages of the period but couldn’t get the puck in the back of the net.
Columbus won the game 3-1 and tied the series 1-1.
Third Star: Alexander Wennberg (1 goal)
Second Star Pierre-Luc Dubois (2 assists)
First Star: Joonas Korpisalo (36 saves)
Columbus wanted to make sure they had a stronger start despite giving up the first goal of the game. And, they got their game going midway through the first period and never looked back. The one aspect they can improve on during this series is defense as the Lightning outshot them 37-22. You can’t give the Lightning that many scoring chances if you’re the Blue Jackets.
On the other hand, Tampa continued to show how lethal their offense can be but they have to start converting scoring chances into goals. But, the biggest aspect of their game they need to focus on is defense. Though they outshot the Blue Jackets during the game, their defense needs to be present in order to truly dominate this series as a whole.
Game 3 of the Blue Jackets-Lightning series is on Aug. 15 at 7:30 pm EST.
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