The Tampa Bay Lightning are one win away from advancing.
Behind two straight one-goal victories, the Lightning have opened up a 3-1 lead on their opening round NHL playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets. With a win tonight, they can close out the series.

Game 5 between the Lightning and Blue Jackets is at 12 p.m. ET Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena. The game will air on

It’s a chance for sweet revenge for Tampa Bay, after Columbus swept them out of the first round last year. This year’s series has been a lot tighter than Tampa Bay’s 3-1 advantage might suggest.

The teams played a five-overtime thriller in Game 1. Lightning coach Jon Cooper noted both clubs are still feeling the effects of that game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning showed off their resilience in Game 5, slaying their dragons and defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Here are three takeaways from the final game of the series:

Columbus got six powerplays while Tampa Bay got nothing. This is quite odd in the NHL as referees are notorious for their “even up calls” which were nonexistent in Game 5. You would think that in an elimination game the referees would let the players play but that was not the case in this game.

The Blue Jackets’ first goal of the game came seconds after their power play expired and their second goal was on the man advantage. They did a great job of moving the puck and keeping it in the offensive zone to tire out the defense and eventually take advantage.

Shares: