In Game 1, the Columbus Blue Jackets faced a 3-0 hole and dug out to mount a thrilling comeback against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In Game 2, it was Columbus jumping out to a three-goal lead—but this time, the Blue Jackets held on and smothered a potential Lightning rally to grind out a 5-1 win.
The Blue Jackets’ objective heading into Friday night was simple: tighten up what didn’t work on Wednesday (puck control, energy early, Bobrovsky’s nerves) and keep up what did (special teams, Bobrovsky for 40 minutes, offense from the defense).