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Jackets go 0-fer National TV, lose to Lightning 4-3

Posted on by William Chase

The Columbus Blue Jackets were beaten by the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 on Sunday night in overtime from Amalie Arena, ending their season series with the Lightning, and going 0-4 on national TV for the season — funny thing, just over two years ago, the Blue Jackets swept the Lightning on national TV in the playoffs. For this regular season, Tampa edged Columbus 5-3.

Making the road start, Joonas Korpisalo had 23 saves on 26 shots while Andrei Vasilevskiy made 19 saves. Korpisalo left the third period due to injury and Elvis Merzlikins finished this one making seven saves on eight shots.

Tampa carried the games’ first power play and couldn’t quite send one home. There were a couple misfired chances on their part, but they’re too potent.

Ondrej Palat was able to capitalize for the Lightning with 8:08 remaining in period one; an impressive shot from the doorstep. The assist went to Brayden Point.

Columbus was outshot 7-2 with 6:30 to go and kinda just skating out there, but their fourth shot of the period came as the games’ equalizer. Mikhail Grigorenko’s third goal of the season was a nice shot through traffic and assists go to Mikko Lehtonen and Vladislav Gavrikov.

Inside the final minute of the period, Eric Robinson provided the lead for Columbus for his sixth of the season. This time, helpers were provided by Max Domi and Oliver Bjorkstrand.

Love a good wraparound effort.

It’s funny hearing the national commentators say the same clichés about Columbus. “There’s no quit. Players want to show management they want to be back next season.”

In the second period, Tampa nearly tied the score inside the first minute but couldn’t quite find daylight. Korpisalo and the Jackets were fortunate that the Lightning were kinda just fanning or just missing on their opportunities. Not that the Blue Jackets don’t deserve credit for being at the right place or doing just enough to hold a lead.

But the Lightning were coming too fast and furious and tied the game at 6:09, Mathieu Joseph’s 12th on a 2-on-1 play. Point and Palat with assists.

Columbus hadn’t gotten a second period shot on net yet. And the Lightning were on their second power play, looking to regain the lead. The Blue Jackets power play whiffed and were getting outshot 11-1 in the second at one glance at the graphic on the screen.

The score remained 2-2 through two and the Jackets matched their first period shot total for a cumulative deficit of 24-10.

Yay?

Robinson’s go-ahead goal was his second of the game, and as the first goal was inside the final minute of first period play, his second was inside the first minute of third period play. Max Domi with a point and another for Bjorkstrand.

Tampa Bay converted on their third power play opportunity and just before the goal, it was mentioned by NBC that Korpisalo might have been hurt on a play. Korpisalo was back up and gingerly trying to stay involved with the play. He was beat on a one-time shot and the game was tied at 3-3.

The goal was the first of his career for Alex Barre-Boulet and Victor Hedman had his 35th assist. Palat picked up his second point of the game.

This contest was decided 10 seconds into overtime as Hedman scored for his second point of the night, ninth goal of the year. Point also earned his third point.

Columbus heads home to face the Detroit Red Wings at 7:00 EST PM Tuesday night from Nationwide Arena.

Additional Notes

Tampa Bay has now won six of their last seven games at home against Columbus. Oliver Bjorkstrand led all forwards for ice-time (19:50). Seth Jones led the game (24:22). Ondrei Palat led Lightning forwards (19:19). Victor Hedman led Lightning defenseman (23:57). Bjorkstrand, Jones, and Michael Del Zotto co-led Columbus with three shots. Alex Barre-Boulet led the game with six shots. Columbus’s nine game winless streak ties a franchise high. Natural Stat Trick.

Talking Points