Lightning Defeat Blue Jackets in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets in a grueling five overtime Game 1 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The game lasted for six hours and thirteen minutes making it the fourth longest game in NHL history. Here is the recap from Game 1 between the Lightning and Blue Jackets.

1st Period

The Blue Jackets had an early power play and were able to convert on it getting the game’s first goal from forward Pierre-Luc Dubois. From there, it was a close battle between both teams with the Lightning getting the better of the two. Lightning forward Brayden Point tied the game 6:27 into the period. Even though the Lightning outshot the Blue Jackets 14-6, the Blue Jackets were able to still get scoring chances off breakaways.

The game was tied at one heading into the second period.

2nd Period

The game got more intense and physical as both teams continued to go back and forth with momentum shifting on both sides. Though the game was physical at this point, there were only three penalties called with Tampa being called for two of the three. However, Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand regained the team’s one goal lead 47 seconds left in the period.

The Blue Jackets went into the third period with a 2-1 lead.

3rd Period

The Lightning struck fast to start the period scoring 23 seconds in from forward Yanni Gourde. It seemed like the Lightning were going to get another goal with the momentum they built up during this period. However, Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo was able to keep the game tied and helped shift the momentum to them. The Lightning outshot the Blue Jackets 41-26 throughout the first three periods but they couldn’t find a way to score past Korpisalo.

The game was tied at three heading into overtime.

Overtime

Playoff overtime is way different than overtime being played during the regular season. And, even in the qualifier rounds for that matter. Momentum can shift to either team and is usually more intense since it’s still sudden death. With that said, the Lightning controlled the majority of this first overtime period but still were unable to score past Korpisalo. The Blue Jackets also had their moments early on but Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy made huge saves as well.

The game was still tied at two going into double overtime.

Also, to keep this recap interesting, we’ll include the amount of saves made from both goaltenders including the first three periods and the first overtime.

Goals saved after overtime

Korpisalo: 51 out of 53 shots

Vasilevskiy: 32 out of 34 shots

Double Overtime

At this point, both teams had spent so much energy that double overtime became a “last team standing” type of battle. The best scoring chance from both teams came from Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak off a Blue Jackets turnover with seven minutes left in the period.

The game was still tied at two heading into triple overtime.

Goals saved after double overtime

Korpisalo: 57 out of 59 shots

Vasilevskiy: 42 out of 44 shots

Triple Overtime

The Lightning seemed to have found their second wind heading into triple overtime. They were able to control this period even with the Blue Jackets pushing back. Tampa also had the better scoring chances to end the game from Gourde and forward Mitchell Stephens.

The game was still tied at two heading into quadruple overtime.

Goals saved after triple overtime

Korpisalo: 71 out of 73 shots

Vasilevskiy: 50 out of 52 shots

Quadruple Overtime

Yes. Quadruple overtime. There still isn’t a winner and no one was able to score the game winning goal. This time, however, the Blue Jackets also seemed to have found their second being able to keep up with the Lightning during this period. Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner had the best chance to win the game with 13:35 left in the game.

The game was still tied at two heading into quintuple overtime.

Goals saved after quadruple overtime

Korpisalo: 85 out of 87 shots

Vasilevskiy: 58 out of 60 shots

Quintuple Overtime

At long last, we have a winner. Lighting forward Nikita Kucherov got a shot off but it ricocheted off of Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov’s face. And, the puck ended up on Point’s stick and scored the game winning goal with 9:35 left in the period.

Tampa won the game 3-2 and took the series lead 1-0.

Goals saved after quintuple overtime

Korpisalo: 85 out of 88 shots

Vasilevskiy: 61 out of 63 shots

Three Stars of the Game:

Third Star: Seth Jones (1 assist)

Second Star: Brayden Point (2 goals)

First Star: Joonas Korpisalo (85 saves)

There aren’t any losers and winners in this game. Both teams found a way to get energy during five overtime periods. The rest of these games in this best of seven series should be interesting. Which teams can recover fully the fastest will be the question at hand. 

Korpisalo and Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones both set NHL records of their own. Korpisalo’s 85 saves set an NHL record for most saves in any NHL game. The previous record was 73 saves set by Kelly Hrudey of the New York Islanders on April 18, 1987. Jones had an ice time of 65:06, the longest time a player has played on the ice since time on ice became an official stat in 1997-98.

Vasilevskiy also set a record for most saves by a Lightning goaltender with 61.

This game also postponed Game 1 between the Carolina Hurricanes vs. Boston Bruins to Aug. 12 at 11 am EST. The Bruins won the game 4-3 in double overtime.

Game 2 of the Lightning-Blue Jackets series is on Aug. 13 at 3:00 pm EST.