Three takeaways from the Blue Jackets 3-1 loss to the Lightning
One: Clogging the neutral zone and crisp passing marked the first twenty minutes. They're regaining possession when they dump and chase on a consistent basis. Although they gave up a late-period goal, the start to this game was one of the better starts they've had in quite some time.
Two: The Bolts woke up in the middle frame, but the Blue Jackets kept their legs moving. They managed to pepper Lightning goalie Ben Bishop with 16 shots on goal in the second. They were also beginning to cycle the puck more and drive to the net more frequently.
Three: The Blue Jackets couldn't keep up with the fluid economy of motion displayed by the Lightning in the final stanza. There were small breakdowns that led to the Tampa goals. But the telling goal for them was the third goal. When you give a team like the Bolts four rebounds in quick succession, they will make you pay the piper.
