Stanley cup Playoffs: Blue jackets Making History

By Riley S

This season marked the fifth time in Blue Jackets’ history that they have made it to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The preceding four times, they have lost in the first round. But this year was different.

The Columbus Blue Jackets won their first playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. It is a first in the team’s history.

Most people view this as one of the biggest upsets in National Hockey League history. The Blue Jackets were seeded number eight in the Eastern conference and we’re facing The Tampa Bay lightning. The Lightning had a fantastic season; they tied a record for the most wins in a season at sixty two wins.

This was a phenomenal sweep of the series by the Columbus Blue Jackets. It all started with game number one. The Jackets had to come from behind to win. They were down by three goals which the Lightning had scored all in the first period. The jackets went ahead with five minutes and fifty five seconds left to play and won with a score of four to three.

Two days later comes game number two. The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated Tampa Bay five to one. Unlike the first game, the Lightning had a rough start and the Jackets took advantage. Now Columbus leads the series two to one.

On to game number three in Columbus. In front of a hometown crowd, the Columbus Blue Jackets won three to one over The Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning had to play down by two players. Their top scorer, Nikita Kucherov, was serving a one game suspension and their top defender, Victor Hedman, was injured. This win moved the Jackets one step closer to a sweep in the first round. The Columbus crowd was ecstatic.

The Columbus Blue Jackets also won game number four, seven to three, sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning and advancing to round number two. This game marked a record for Columbus as the most goals they have ever scored in the playoffs. In fact, 12 different Jackets scored in the series for Columbus.

In round number two, the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Jackets face the Boston Bruins. Unfortunately, in game one, the Jackets lost three to two in overtime. The Bruins scored one goal in the first and third periods, as well as one in overtime to defeat Columbus. The Bruins lead the series one to zero.

Game number two of the series proved to be a barn burner. The jackets won in double overtime over the Bruins, three to two. This was the second game between these two opponents that required overtime. It was the second longest game in National Hockey League history. With both teams showing signs of fatigue, play was sloppy. But in the end, the Jackets got the job done.

Game three is Tuesday night in Columbus, with the series tied, one to one. Hopefully, the hometown crowd can inject some vigor into the Jackets for the win and go ahead in round two. If the first two games between these two opponents is any indicator, it will be another nail biter for sure.